《Love's Redemption》


 Redmption 1

    Redmption 1


    "Be honest. Have you ever done it with Madeline?"


    The deep voice of a man came through the crack in the door, making me pause as I was about to


    enter the room.


    Through the gap in the door, I saw Chris Gildon sitting inside the room. His thin lips were slightly


    pursed as he replied, "She''s made a move on me before, but I wasn''t interested."


    "Chris, don''t put her down like that. Madeline''s beauty is something that everyone in our circle


    agrees on. Many people have their eyes on her,"mented Chris'' best friend, Derick Bowman,


    who had witnessed our ten-year rtionship.


    "We know each other too well. Do you know what I mean?" Chris'' eyebrows furrowed.


    When I was 14, I was sent to the Gildon estate, where I had met Chris for the first time. Back then,


    everyone told me that Chris was the person I was destined to marry. It had been ten years since we


    started living together.


    "That''s true. You work in the samepany during the day, so you probably see each other all the


    time. Then, when you go back, you have dinner together at night. You both probably know exactly


    how many times the other goes to the bathroom each day," Derick said jokingly.


    Then, he clicked his tongue before continuing, "Nowadays, it''s not about growing fond of each other


    over time. There has to be a sense of mystery between men and women. It''s only thrilling when you


    want something you can''t have."


    Chris remained silent, neither agreeing nor disagreeing with Derick''s words.


    "So, will you still marry her?"


    Derick''s question made me hold my breath.


    Chris'' parents wanted us to get married. He hadn''t said yes or no, and I hadn''t asked him about it.


    But Derick was now asking on my behalf.


    Chris didn''t say anything.


    Seeing this, Derick let out augh. "You don''t want to marry her?"


    "That''s not it¡­"


    "That means you want to marry her, but you''re not fully content, right?" Derick, who had grown up


    with Chris, knew exactly what he was thinking.


    "Derick, have you ever heard of this saying?" Chris asked.


    "What is it?"


    "Some things have little to no value, yet one is still reluctant to part with them," Chris replied as he lit


    a cigarette. The smoke blurred the face that I had admired for ten years.


    My chest tightened. It turned out that I had be a burden to him.


    "So, will you marry her or not?" Derick pressed.


    N?velDrama.Org (C) content.


    Chris looked up at him. "You''re so keen on knowing the answer. Do you have feelings for her? How


    about I give her to you?"


    I was a living person, but Chris was casually offering to give me away like I was just an insignificant


    object. If I were a pet that he had raised for ten years, he would surely feel some kind of attachment


    to me, and he wouldn''t be so dismissive.


    It was clear that I meant nothing to him. However, he had been my everything for the past ten years.


    His words deeply wounded me. I could taste a bitterness rising in my throat.


    I lowered my head and stared at the marriage license application form in my hand. I bit my lip hard.


    Derick scoffed. "What are you talking about? I''m not that desperate for a woman."


    Chris stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray and stood up from the couch. "Get out. You''re always


    causing trouble for me whenever youe by."


    "I''m not the one causing you trouble. It''s Madeline. If you don''t have any feelings for her, you should


    break up with her so that she can find a better man," Derick reminded him. He then grabbed his


    jacket from the couch and headed toward the door.


    When the door opened, Derick saw me standing outside and froze. Then, he awkwardly rubbed his


    nose. Realizing that I had overheard their conversation, he forced a smile and asked, "Are you


    looking for Chris? He''s inside."


    My fingertips felt numb as I clutched the marriage license application form, and I couldn''t say a


    word.


    Derick nced at what I was holding. He leaned closer to me and asked, "Have you thought about


    what it is that you truly want?"


    His shoulder brushed against mine as he walked away.


    The light document in my hand now felt heavy and scorching.


    I swallowed hard, and after a long pause, I finally pushed the door open and trudged in.

 Redmption 2

    Redmption 2


    When Chris heard the noise, he looked up. His gaze fell on my face. I didn''t even have to see it to


    know how dark my expression was.


    "Are you feeling unwell?" he asked, frowning slightly.


    I walked to his desk without a word. Swallowing the bitterness in my throat, I said, "If you don''t want


    to marry me, I can let your mom know."


    Chris'' frown deepened when he realized that I had overheard his conversation with Derick.


    My throat felt dry as I continued, "I never thought that I''d end up being a burden to you, Chris¡ª"


    "To everyone else, we''re already like a married couple," Chris interrupted me.


    So what? Was he marrying me because of what everyone else thought? I wanted him to marry me


    because he loved me and wanted to spend his life with me.


    With a click, Chris capped the pen in his hand and looked at the marriage license application form I


    was holding. "We''ll register next Wednesday."


    This was what I wanted to hear, but at that moment, it only made me feel terrible.


    I lowered my head and shook it slightly. "Chris, you don''t have to force yourself. I''m not some


    charity case."


    "Madeline Crown!" he said sternly.


    I trembled and looked up to meet his impatient gaze, only to see him reaching his hand out toward


    me. My grip on the marriage license application form tightened.


    His jaw clenched, and he ordered, "Give it to me."


    I didn''t move, and the atmosphere grew tense.


    A few secondster, he got up and stood in front of me. His tall frame loomed over me as he


    exhaled lightly with a hint of helplessness. "I was just joking with Derick. Did you take it seriously?"


    Was it really just a joke?


    Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    "You know how prideful men can be," he exined. He raised his hand and gripped my arm before


    sliding down to take hold of my hand. Then, he pulled the document from my grasp.


    "Don''t believe everything you hear in the future." He then turned around and put the document away


    in a drawer before grabbing his coat. "I need to go out for a bit."


    Lately, he had been going out frequently, and he would stay out for a long time each time.


    "Chris," I called after him. "Do you like me?"


    Chris was about to walk past me, but he stopped at my words. He fixed his dark eyes on me, and


    after a moment, a dimple appeared on his left cheek as he smiled.


    Chris looked good when he smiled. I still remembered how he had approached me with that same


    warm smile and called me "kid" when I had first arrived at the Gildon estate.


    That smile of his had warmed my heart and made me fall hopelessly in love with him. Even now, I


    still loved his smile.


    I felt a weight on my head as hisrge hand ruffled my hair.


    "Of course I like you," he replied. "Why else would I go halfway across the city to buy you some


    roasted pears, give you your favorite roses every birthday, or watch the meteor showers with you?


    And¡­ why else would I want to marry you?"


    Whenever I began to waver, a smile and a few sweet words from Chris were enough to make me


    surrender.


    I was like a kite, with the end of the string firmly held in his hand. Depending on his mood, he


    controlled my joy and sorrow as he pleased.


    But the words I had heard earlier still affected me.


    This time, I didn''t let myself be as easily cated as before. I looked into his eyes and asked, "Do


    you like me romantically?"


    I felt his hand stop its motion on my head as his smile faded.


    Hisrge hand moved from my head to my cheek, and he gently pinched it.


    He said, "Don''t overthink things. Let''s go home together after work. You like fish, don''t you? I''ll have


    someone deliver some fresh salmon and cook that for you tonight."


    Then, he left. He had avoided my question, just like he had countless times before.


    The scent of his hand cream still lingered in my nose, and I could still feel the warmth of his hand on


    my cheek. Even so, my heart felt cold.


    He treated me well and pampered me. He liked me, but this affection felt more like that between


    family members than that between a man and a woman.


    Yet, I only had him in my heart. I had loved him for ten years.


    What should I do?


    Should I marry him and live a life like an old married couple who were so familiar with each other


    that even intimacy didn''t pique his interest? Or should I leave him so that he could find his true


    love?

 Redmption 3

    Redmption 3


    I pondered this question all day long. I still didn''t have an answer when he came to get me in the


    afternoon. Despite that, I followed him anyway.


    Habit sure was a scary thing. Ten years was what it took to make me ustomed to both him and


    going back to Gildon Estate after work.


    "Why aren''t you saying anything?" Chris probably sensed my low spirits on the way back and took


    the initiative to ask.


    I was silent for a few seconds before I mentioned, "Chris, maybe we should¡ª"


    Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    Before I could finish my sentence, his phone rang. The car disy showed an unlisted number, but I


    clearly saw Chris'' grip on the steering wheel tighten.


    He was nervous, which was rare.


    Instinctively, I looked at his face, but he quickly turned off the car''s speaker and switched to


    Bluetooth. "Hello¡­ Okay, I''m on my way now."


    The call was short.


    After the call ended, he looked at me and said, "Maddie, I have an urgent matter to deal with. I can''t


    take you home."


    Even before he spoke, I knew he was going to leave me behind. It wasn''t the first time. But before


    he said anything, I still hoped he would take me home first.


    A sudden pain hit my heart, but I suppressed my sadness. "Is something wrong?"


    Chris'' jaw tightened. He didn''t answer and instead looked out the window. "Get off in front, and take


    a taxi home."


    He didn''t even want to give an exnation. What more could I say when he had already made


    arrangements?


    I would only embarrass myself if I asked questions or made a fuss.


    "Text me when you get home," Chris instructed as he pulled over to a temporary parking spot by the


    road.


    My grip on my backpack was firm when I got out of the car.


    It wasn''t just my imagination. Judging from his reaction to the iing call and how he didn''t dare


    to answer it on speakerphone where I could hear the conversation, I already had a hunch.


    But I had chosen not to ask or say anything.


    Some things were just like a thinyer of paper over a hole. It was left there for me to keep


    deceiving myself.


    "Be careful on the way!" he hurriedly reminded me before he left. Then, he stepped on the


    elerator and left.


    I stood there, watching the direction he left until my eyes grew sore, and then I lowered my gaze to


    my toes.


    My phone buzzed in my pocket. It was a call from my best friend, Lisa Carline.


    "Maddie, where are you? Want to grab dinner?" she asked.


    Lisa, a gynecologist, was a skilled doctor despite her young age. She didn''t have a boyfriend.


    "Sure," I agreed readily.


    Lisa immediately eximed, "Wow, did the sun rise in the west today? When I ask you to dinner,


    you always say, ''Let me check with Chris first.'' What''s with the quick agreement today?"


    My chest felt stuffy. Over the past ten years, I had lived as if I were an essory to Chris. Fearing


    he couldn''t find me, I even reported to him before having dinner or going shopping with Lisa.


    However, I found out today after hearing Chris'' words that I had be a burden to him. He was


    exhausted because of me.


    "Are you at the hospital or home?" I answered her with a question instead.


    Lisa gave me an address, telling me toe over.


    "What''s wrong? Did you have a fight with Mr. Gildon?" Lisa sensed that something was off the


    moment she saw me.


    She was one of my few close friends, so I didn''t hide anything from her.


    After listening, Lisa immediately started cursing, "Men are jerks. Insipid to eat, he said? As if he''s


    slept with you a hundred times or something."


    Her words didn''tfort me; instead, they made me feel even more humiliated. Despite being with


    Chris for so long, we had never been intimate. There had been those moments, like the time I got


    drunk and made a move on him, but he had just wrapped me up and sent me back to my room.


    At that time, I thought Chris respected me and didn''t want to take advantage of me while I was not


    in a clear state of mind.


    But today, I realized it was because he wasn''t interested in me.


    Wasn''t there a saying that if a man truly loved a woman, he would definitely want to sleep with her?


    However, Chris had never shown any such desire toward me.


    "Liz, I think I want to give up."


    I suddenly had an answer to the dilemma that had troubled me all day.


    "Good. I support you." Lisa clinked her ss with mine. "There may not be three-legged toads, but


    there are plenty of two-legged men. With your looks, you can get any man you want."


    Lisa was right. When I was 18, I won a beauty pageant. If Chris hadn''t stopped me, I might have


    walked the path of stardom by now. With my beauty, I''ve received countless admirers and suitors


    over the years, but I never felt anything for them.


    The only person I wanted was Chris.


    This realization made my nose sting. Not wanting Lisa to see my inner turmoil, I quickly ran to the


    restroom.


    In my haste, I bumped into someone exiting the restroom, knocking them down andnding on top


    of them. I was about to apologize when I heard a scream. The person then shouted, "Help!


    Someone is molesting me!"

 Redmption 4

    Redmption 4


    I never thought that I would ever be arrested for indecency.


    The boy that I had knocked down was a 17-year-old teenager. He insisted that I had bad intentions


    toward him. Even if I denied it, he still insisted that I touched him.


    "Where did she touch you?" The police questioned very carefully.


    The teenager''s name was Yerick Massey. He looked at me, pointed at his chest, and then pointed


    below his waist. "She touched me here and here!"


    N?velDrama.Org (C) content.


    What bullshit!


    I almost cursed out loud. I had never even touched a man as handsome as Chris. Why would I


    touch a brat who hadn''t even gone through puberty?


    The police looked at me again.


    "I didn''t touch him," I denied it before he could even ask me. "I just identally bumped into him."


    "Did you drink?" The police looked at me meaningfully.


    In this society, it was normal for men to be drunk. Women who drank even a little were considered


    indecent.


    I nodded. "I did."


    "How much did you drink?"


    I really didn''t know what that question had to do with what was going on. Still, I obediently answered


    the question. "A bottle of beer."


    When the policeman gave me a look of disbelief, I immediately thought of Lisa who could testify for


    me. But it just so happened that Lisa had sent me a message earlier that she had been called back


    to the hospital to save a bleeding woman inbor.


    I understood what the police meant and exined again, "I was not drunk, and I did not take


    advantage of this brat while under the influence."


    The policeman took note of my words and looked at Yerick again. "Are you sure she touched you?


    You will be held legally responsible if you lie and frame someone else."


    "Of course I''m sure." Yerick was really stubborn.


    I was so angry that I wanted to get up and beat him up.


    Before I could put this idea into action, Yerick''s eyes suddenly lit up.


    "Jewel, you''re here."


    His parents had been notified because he was underage. I turned around and wanted to exin


    everything to his family, but before I could say anything, I was stunned when I saw the people who


    had arrived.


    There was a man and a woman.


    The woman had long and straight ck hair, and she wore a white dress. She was the epitome of


    what a man''s first love would look like. Her name was Jewel Massey. I knew her.


    The man next to her was Chris.


    "Yerick, what happened?" Jewel asked the teenager anxiously.


    Yerick didn''t answer her. Instead, he looked at Chris and said, "Jewel, he''s my new brother-inw,


    isn''t he?"


    Chris'' expression froze, and his shocked eyes became icy when he looked at me.


    "Madeline, what''s going on here?" he demanded.


    "Hey, brother-inw, do you know this woman? I''m telling you, she''s a hooligan! She touched me


    here and here¡­" Yerick was talking nonsense and performing at the same time.


    At this moment, I no longer had the energy to exin. I just looked at Chris. He had only been away


    from me for a few hours, but he had now be someone else''s brother-inw.


    And the answer to why he had left me in a hurry before seemed to be here.


    Jewel, who was beside him, also looked at me before she introduced herself in a gentle voice,


    "Madeline, I''m Jewel, Yerick''s older sister."


    I was a little surprised that she recognized me. Oh, right. I was Chris'' essory and bootlicker.


    Anyone who knew him would know me.


    But Jewel and I had never crossed paths. I knew that she was busy for three whole days because


    her husband had died in a car ident not long ago. As her husband''s good friend, Chris had been


    busy with the funeral, and he didn''te home during those three days.


    I swallowed the bitterness in my throat. "I identally knocked down your brother andnded on


    him. I didn''t do the things he said."


    "I know." Jewel smiled apologetically. "He''s a mischievous one."


    After that, Jewel walked over and pped Yerick''s head twice. She then exined to the police.


    The police also got surveince to prove that I was not lying.


    "Since the both of you know each other, you can discuss a settlement between yourselves. This kid


    will be detained and taught a lesson for making a false police report otherwise," the police said.


    Jewel immediately tugged on Chris. Although it was a small movement, it felt very intimate.


    As someone who was in a high position, Chris had an aura that kept strangers away. Normal people


    would not touch him like this. He didn''t like others touching him either.


    But at this moment, Jewel''s touch did not make him feel ufortable. It was obvious that this


    wasn''t the first time she had touched him.


    There were things I didn''t want to think deeply about.


    As for the settlement, I thought for a few seconds before opening my mouth. However, Chris had


    already spoken for me. "It''s all a misunderstanding. Forget it."


    I soon felt a tight grip on me as Chris pulled me out with him.

 Redmption 5

    Redmption 5


    My hand was grabbed so tightly it hurt. It was clear Chris was angry.


    Was he jealous?


    As soon as the thought crossed my mind, Chris let go of my hand. His gaze was cold when he


    warned, "Madeline, is this how you''re taking revenge on me just because of one thing I said?"


    I was a bit stunned. I didn''t expect him to think that way.


    "I didn''t, I¡ª"


    Before I could finish exining, I was interrupted.


    "Where did you touch him? Did you really touch him there?" Chris'' jaw was tense, and his eyes


    were filled with a fierce light as if he wanted to devour someone.


    Such a reaction from him was rare; he was jealous after all.


    In an instant, a lot of the unhappiness in my heart dissipated.


    It seemed he still cared about me. If he only saw me as a sister or a friend, he wouldn''t care if I


    touched another man.


    "No," I denied it again.


    As soon as I finished speaking, Yerick came out from inside and whistled at me. "Hooligan, why are


    you seducing my brother-inw this time?"


    It was true that a filthy mouth could never utter decent words.


    Seeing the way Yerick looked at me with that annoying expression, I couldn''t help but wonder if we


    had unresolved karma from a past lifetime.


    As I watched Yerick walking toward me, especially seeing Jewel''s fake innocent look, I thought of


    the scene where she touched Chris. I reached out and took Chris'' arm.


    However, I could feel his muscles stiffen.


    "You''re talking nonsense again." Jewel pinched Yerick as she came over.


    She had an apologetic look on her face when she stood in front of Chris and me. "Madeline, I''m


    sorry."


    "It''s not your fault." Chris looked at Yerick. "No one will save you next time if you cause trouble


    again."


    "Hmph." Yerick red at Chris defiantly. "Who do you think you are? What gives you the right to say


    that? I''ll listen to you if you be my new brother-inw."


    "Yerick!" Jewel scolded him and hit him again.


    N?velDrama.Org (C) content.


    Yerick dodged her punch. "He likes you, Jewel. Why else would he spend all his time with you to


    take care of you day and night?"


    My grip on Chris'' hand tightened. He was hardly ever home these days, and he often left the office


    for most of the day without notice. So, he was spending all that time with the woman in front of me.


    She was his best friend''s wife. It was understandable for him to take care of her after his friend died


    in a car ident.


    But did he need to take care of her every day? To the point where others might misunderstand his


    feelings?


    "What are you talking about?" Jewel''s face flushed, and she hit Yerick harder.


    The 17-year-old boy, rebellious as he was, instinctively raised his hand when hit, causing Jewel to


    stagger and fall to one side.


    I felt myself being pushed. I stumbled a few steps and almost fell.


    When I regained my bnce, I saw that Chris had already run to Jewel''s side, kneeling on one knee


    and holding her. "Jewel, are you okay? Where does it hurt?"


    "M-My stomach hurts, Chris." Jewel''s voice was weak and pitiful as she clutched Chris'' arm tightly.


    "Don''t be scared. I''ll take you to the hospital. Don''t be scared." Chris'' voice was trembling with


    panic.


    I stood there like a block of wood. I had seen Chris in countless situations before, but I had never


    seen him this anxious and flustered.


    And it was all for another woman.


    Chris carried Jewel into the car and shouted at me, "Madeline, you drive!"


    I was still frozen in the same spot.


    "Hurry up! If anything happens to my sister, you''ll be sorry!" Yerick came over and angrily pulled at


    me.


    I didn''t know what came over me, but the moment he touched me, I raised my hand and pped


    him hard.


    "Don''t touch me," I said coldly.


    Five clear finger marks appeared on Yerick''s fair face instantly. The two people in the car were


    stunned, and Yerick was even more so.


    He probably didn''t expect me to p him, but after a brief moment, he became angry and tried to hit


    me back. "You bitch¡ª"


    "Yerick!" Chris snapped. "If you touch her, I''ll make sure that you''ll go back inside."


    His threat worked as Yerick retracted his hand and red angrily at me and Chris before stomping


    away.


    "Yerick!" Jewel called after him, but then she clutched her stomach in pain. "It hurts, Chris. Take me


    to the hospital."


    "Madeline!" Chris called out to me again.


    Seeing Jewel in such pain, I didn''t have time to think or feel anything else. I quickly got into the car


    and drove straight to the hospital.


    When we saw the doctor, Chris urgently exined, "Doctor, she''s pregnant and just fell. Her belly is


    hurting a lot."


    Pregnant?


    My steps felt like they were filled with lead, making it hard to move. My heart sank.


    Jewel''s husband was dead; how could Jewel be pregnant?


    My gaze fell on Chris'' face, which was filled with panic. Was he so anxious because...


    After Jewel was taken into the emergency room, Chris and I waited outside. I wasn''t close to Jewel,


    so I didn''t feel particrly anxious.


    However, Chris was distressed. I watched him for a while, but he kept his eyes on the emergency


    room door, seemingly forgetting that I, his fianc¨¦e, was even there.


    A bitter feeling rose within me, and I swallowed several times before finally speaking.


    "Is it¡­ your child?" I asked directly as I didn''t want to jump to conclusions.


    When Chris turned around, there was a sh of shock in his eyes followed by a deeper, more


    serious look. "What are you talking about? Of course not. It''s Ian''s."


    I let out a sigh of relief.


    Ian Goodwin was Jewel''s husband and Chris'' close friend for many years. He passed away in a car


    ident a month ago. The car had beenpletely destroyed, and Ian had lost his life.


    "I''m taking care of Jewel at Ian''s request," Chris exined to me.


    I recalled Chris'' appearance when he returned home after handling the aftermath of Ian''s ident.


    With disheveled hair and a beard covering his chin, he looked like someone who had escaped from


    the mountains.


    Their brotherly bond was deep. Now that Ian was gone, it was only natural for Chris to take care of


    Ian''s widow.


    At that moment, I felt a pang of guilt for my earlier thoughts.


    I gently reached out and grabbed Chris'' arm, exining tonight''s events. "I didn''t touch that kid; he


    deliberately put the me on me."


    Chris looked at me, and his lips moved. After a moment, he reached out and pinched my cheek.


    "No more drinking from now on."


    I was about to say I only had a little to drink when the door to the emergency room swung open.


    A doctor came out and approached Chris right away. "Family member of the pregnant patient,


    please sign here."


    Chris nced at me but still took the doctor''s pen. Before signing, he asked, "Doctor, how is she


    now?"


    "Your wife has signs of miscarriage. We need to try to prevent it, but there''s a chance it might not


    seed, hence the need for your signature," the doctor exined.


    "Doctor, please do everything you can to save the child," Chris urged.


    "Of course. Please sign quickly."


    Prompted by the doctor, Chris signed his name in the family member section of Jewel''s medical


    records.


    I knew signing a piece of paper didn''t change anything. Still, I never expected my fianc¨¦ to be


    someone else''s family member before bing my family.

 Redmption 6

    Redmption 6


    Jewel came through safely, and the baby was saved. She returned to her hospital room looking pale


    and miserable, her eyes red from crying. Combined with her delicate appearance, she looked truly


    fragile and pitiful.


    "Don''t worry too much. The baby is fine." Chris reassured her.


    "Chris, I''m so scared," Jewel cried.


    Chris handed her a tissue, and she took it. She held onto his hand, with her tear-streaked face


    resting on the back of his hand.


    Sure, she looked pitiful, but that didn''t mean she could just treat someone else''s fianc¨¦ like her


    husband.


    I walked over to them. "Mrs. Goodwin, the doctor said that intense emotions aren''t good for the


    baby. You''ve managed to save your child. It would be a problem if something were to happen


    because you cried."


    I gently pulled her away from Chris without making a fuss.


    But seeing the tears on Chris'' hand back, I couldn''t help feeling ufortable as if something of


    mine had been dirtied by someone else.


    I was a bit of a clean freak, both in daily life and in rtionships.


    Jewel seemed surprised when I addressed her as Mrs. Goodwin. Her face visibly stiffened, but she


    quickly adjusted her emotions.


    "Chris, I''m sorry. What am I doing?" She reached for a tissue to wipe Chris'' hand, only for me to


    stop her.


    "Mrs. Goodwin, you shouldn''t move around right now."


    Jewel''s face froze, her tearful eyes looked at Chris with obvious admiration.


    "Does Jewel like you?" I asked Chris directly as we came out of the ward.


    "No," Chris denied it.


    "What about you? Do you like her?"


    If I was going to ask, I wanted a clear answer. I didn''t want to be strung along.


    Chris'' expression visibly stiffened. After a few seconds, he uttered softly, "We''re just friends."


    Just friends?


    "Ian is gone. Before he died, he held my hand and asked me to take care of Jewel..." Chris'' voice


    trembled, and so did his hand that was hanging by his side.


    Whenever he mentioned Ian''s death, he always seemed emotional. This wasn''t the first time he


    reacted this way.


    My heart sank a bit when I saw him this way. "I didn''t mean anything else. I just noticed how much


    Jewel relies on you."


    "She... Maybe it''s because she''s pregnant that she feels insecure by herself," Chris exined on


    her behalf. His dark eyes settled on my face. "Maddie, I''ll be more careful in the future."


    With him putting it this way, what more could I say? But I still reminded him, "Even if you''re taking


    care of her for Ian''s sake, you should know that men and women are different."


    I didn''t want to see what I witnessed just now happen again. I didn''t want to feel disgusted with


    myself.


    "Okay, I understand."


    He had just finished speaking when we heard the urgent sound of wheels squeaking against the


    ground not far away.


    Turning my head, I saw a group of people pushing a stretcher toward us in haste. Just as I was


    about to move aside, I heard Chris utter in a low voice, "Watch out." He then pulled me aside.


    The group rushed past us from behind.


    As I nestled into his embrace, the pounding of his heart echoed loudly in my ears. This sound


    reminded me of the time shortly after I had arrived at the Gildon estate, when I had attended a


    school event and identally fallen from a height.


    Text content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Chris had rushed over and held me. He had then reassured me and carried me to the infirmary.


    That was the first time I had heard his heartbeat sounding so frantic.


    That was when I had truly fallen for him.


    At this moment, his heartbeat was still racing, and it was because of me.


    I closed my eyes, unwilling to think about anything else, and nuzzled my face against Chris'' chest.


    "Let''s go home. I''m tired."


    "Okay, I''ll just tell Jewel," Chris said as he released me, kissing my forehead.


    Instead of going into the ward, I waited outside the door. I didn''t hear what Chris said to Jewel, but


    when he came out, I heard Jewel sobbing.


    When Chris and I returned home, his parents were still awake, sitting on the couch watching TV


    without speaking to each other. They rarely spoke to each other normally.


    I had asked Bree Foster, Chris'' mother, about it, and she said that after being married for so long


    and seeing each other every day, they didn''t have anything much to talk to each other about.


    Chris told me that his parents used to be passionately in love when they were young. s, their


    love settled into something ordinary and calm.


    Perhaps, this was what love eventually looked like.


    "Mom, Dad."


    "Bree, Zack."


    Chris and I greeted them separately.


    "Have you two eaten? If not, there''s still food left for you," Bree informed us warmly.


    "We''ve already eaten," Chris replied before turning to me. "Are you hungry? Would you like


    something to eat?"


    I had hardly eaten dinner, but at this moment, I didn''t feel hungry. "I''m okay."


    "In that case, why don''t you two go upstairs and rest? The household staff will bring you some milk


    later." Bree smiled.


    It might have been my imagination, but something about that smile didn''t sit right with me. However,


    without dwelling on it, I went upstairs. But as soon as I pushed open the door, I froze and turned to


    Chris.


    He was standing at the bedroom door, looking back at me.


    Before we could go back downstairs, Bree had alreadye upstairs. "Maddie, I forgot to mention


    earlier. We need to clear out Chris'' room to make it your shared bedroom. Chris will stay in your


    room for now."


    "Mom, Maddie and I will be moving out after we get married. Why do we need to prepare a shared


    bedroom here?" Chris countered.


    "Just because you''re moving out doesn''t mean that you won''t stay here sometimes, like during the


    holidays or when it gets toote," Bree scolded him, then took him to my room.


    "The two of you will be getting married soon. So, it''s fine for you to share a bedroom, right?" Bree


    turned to me and asked, "Maddie, you don''t mind, do you?"


    Suddenly, Chris'' words to Derick echoed in my mind, and I didn''t know how to respond.


    "She doesn''t mind," Chris unexpectedly answered for me.


    As I looked up at him, he put his arm around my shoulder and led me into the room.


    "Goodnight, Mom." With that, Chris closed the door behind us.


    Chris and I didn''t speak, creating an awkward and somewhat suggestive atmosphere. The fancy


    bedspread on therge bed made it seem like tonight was our wedding night.


    My face turned pink. "Um... I''ll change it..." I broke free from Chris'' embrace, only to have him grab


    me.


    Looking into his deep eyes, I felt my heart beat faster and my breathing grow heavier.


    Chris'' Adam''s apple bobbed as he stepped closer. My entire body tensed up. He got closer and


    closer, his hand moving from my arm to my shoulder, then to the back of my neck as his face


    lowered toward mine.


    Nervously, I grasped his hand. "Chris..."


    The rest of my words were swallowed by his fierce and passionate kiss. It was unlike anything we''d


    shared before. Over the years, we''d kissed, but it was always brief, never with his tongue exploring


    my mouth.


    Tonight was different.


    His kiss was intense. I was so nervous that my teeth chattered, preventing him from deepening the


    kiss.


    Chris paused before he whispered in my ear, "Rx a little."


    With that, I felt my body being lifted up as he picked me up and ced me on the bed. When his


    fingers started unbuttoning my shirt, my toes curled with tension. I could see the veins bulging on


    his forehead and the prominent movement of his Adam''s apple.


    Although I had no experience when it came to intimacy, I knew how it went. Perhaps his previous


    lack of interest was simply due to ack of opportunity. As the saying went, "Appetite came with


    eating".


    I closed my eyes, anticipating our intimacy. As I felt a cool breeze, indicating that my clothes had


    been removed, and his lips brushed my neck, Chris'' phone rang.


    My nerves were on edge, and I instinctively clutched his arm. "Chris..."

 Redmption 7

    Redmption 7


    Although I wasn''t so aroused that I couldn''t control myself, I would be humiliated if he answered the


    phone or left at this moment.


    His Adam''s apple bobbed as he immediately hung up, resuming his kisses on my neck and


    corbone.


    But the phone rang again the next second. I knew that if he didn''t take this call, neither of us would


    find peace. I turned my face away. "You should answer it," I whispered.


    With an uneasy look on his face, he pulled the nket over me and took the phone to the balcony.


    Even though he had closed the sliding door, I could still hear his deep voice.


    "I can''te right now. Ask the nurse to help you. I didn''t say that I wouldn''t take care of you. I


    know it''s because of me that... Okay, stop crying. I''lle over now..."


    After that, I didn''t hear any more talking, just the click of a lighter. Chris was smoking. This was the


    first time he was smoking at home.


    It took about ten minutes for Chris toe back. The air was tinged with the smell of tobo.


    His gaze seemed uneasy as he looked at me. "Um, I have to go out for a while. Jewel is alone at


    the hospital. There''s no one there to take care of her¡­"


    Remarkably, he didn''t lie or hide it from me.


    My body felt cold under the covers. "Do you think it''s right for a man to take care of her?"


    "I-I''m going to find her a nurse," Chris exined while straightening his clothes I had disheveled.


    I knew I couldn''t keep him here. Embarrassment and sadness welled up from my heart to the tip of


    my nose. "Chris."


    "Hmm?" He looked up at me worriedly. He was probably worried I''d cling to him and not let him go.


    Chris, the business magnate of Judgeton, had never been afraid of anything, but now he was


    nervous and unsure of what to do in front of me.


    At this moment, the words stuck in my throat wouldn''te out. I managed a bitter smile. "Be


    careful on the road."


    After saying that, I pulled the covers over myself and closed my eyes.


    After a moment, I heard Chris'' footsteps approaching, followed by the warmth of his breath near my


    forehead. When his lips left my skin, he whispered, "I''m sorry..."


    So he knew his actions would hurt me, yet he still did it. Perhaps my constant tolerance made him


    think that hurting me a little every now and then was no big deal.


    Chris left, but the fire he ignited in me hadn''t been extinguished. I threw myself into the bathtub.


    Text content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    When Lisa called, the passion hadpletely subsided as Iy in the tub, lost in thought.


    "Why is Chris at the ob-gyn? Who is this woman named Jewel to him?" Lisa asked.


    I wasn''t surprised Lisa found out. And so, I told her everything.


    Lisa exploded in an instant. "A man taking care of a widow? What is he thinking? Doesn''t he know


    there''s always gossip around widows? Why does he have to get involved in this mess?"


    Even Lisa thought it wasn''t appropriate for him to do so. Since she was my close friend, I didn''t


    mind revealing that embarrassing incident that happened just a while ago.


    "What would you think if I told you he left me halfway through?"


    Lisa paused for a few seconds. "You two did the deed?"


    "No, we only got halfway undressed." I felt like a joke when I uttered those words.


    "Fucking hell!" Lisa, who was usually a refined and elegant medical professional, swore. "If Chris


    could stop halfway through, it''s either because he can''t perform or¡ª"


    She stopped mid-sentence, but I understood what she meant. She meant that Chris didn''t love me


    enough.


    If he loved me, he wouldn''t have left me in that situation.


    And if he loved me, he wouldn''t go to another woman in the middle of the night.


    Histe brother''s widow deserved sympathy, and it was right for him to take care of her.


    However, he had crossed a line.


    "You said you were thinking of giving up on him, right? Just go and find someone better," Lisa


    advised.


    I didn''t say anything. Letting go of Chris was easy, but what about Gildon Estate?


    Gildon Estate was my home now, and Zack and Bree treated me like their own daughter. They had


    raised me all these years. Bree, especially, was like my mother. She was the one who taught me


    what to do when I got my first period and even did my dirtyundry.


    Lisa understood something from my silence.


    "Maddie, babe, maybe we''re just overthinking. Think about how good Chris has been to you all


    these years. He always tells people that you are his wife. Maybe he''s just taking care of the widow


    because of his friendship with his best friend. I don''t think he''d get involved with her, especially


    since she''s pregnant. He wouldn''t want to be a dad out of nowhere, right?"


    I thought about the way Jewel looked at Chris. "What if it''s a case of unrequited love?"


    "What?" Lisa was surprised for a few seconds before she let out a sigh. "That''s possible too. Your


    man is the ideal husband for many women, especially for a widow.


    "Which is why Chris needs to keep his distance from her. When women are vulnerable, a bit of


    kindness can be a lifeline they cling to." Lisa paused before adding. "I''ll keep an eye on things


    tonight. Nothing will happen."


    I only remembered then that Lisa was just there for a temporary shift.


    "It''s fine. Just go home when you''re done with work. You can''t watch them forever. If something''s


    going on between them¡­" I thought about how strangely Chris had been acting these days. "It had


    probably started a long time ago."


    Lisa snorted. "True, but don''t stress too much. If Chris betrays you, you can just break things off


    cleanly. You''re single and ready to mingle. You can still get yourself a hot guy."


    I chuckled. If that happened, should I be grateful that Chris and I had never gone beyond the point


    of no return?


    I deliberately yawned and ended the call with Lisa. There was no way I could sleep tonight.


    Chris didn''te back until almost dawn.


    Since I had fieldwork today, I got up early and left before Zack and Bree woke up. I was afraid


    they''d ask me questions. The renovation of Chris'' room was really happening, but Bree''s true


    intention was to get Chris and me to sleep together sooner. Their hopes were dashed, which was


    embarrassing for me.


    It sometimes felt like a failure to be a woman who couldn''t get a man to undress her.


    I received a call from Chris just as I arrived at my work partner''s office around 8:00 am. Looking at


    the number on the screen, I fell quiet. I didn''t answer the call.

 Redmption 8

    Redmption 8


    "Maddie, Mr. Gildon would like to speak for you." Kara Spraggins, who hade with me, held out


    the phone.


    I had underestimated Chris'' persistence. In this situation, I had no choice but to take the phone. I


    spoke very formally. "Mr. Gildon, what can I do for you?"


    "Maddie." Chris'' hoarse voice was filled with guilt. "Why did you leave so early today? I came home


    but couldn''t give you a lift."


    Realizing he wasn''t talking about work, I walked a bit further away. "I went out for breakfast."


    Text content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "I''m sorry. I couldn''t leavest night. That''s why I didn''te home."


    My heart grew cold, a sarcastic smirk on my lips. "Why couldn''t you leave?"


    When he didn''t answer me, I held my breath and gave him an out. "Couldn''t find a nurse?"


    He said hesitantly, "Yes."


    I didn''t say anything more.


    Chris continued, "Maddie, when will you be done? I''lle pick you up, and we can have lunch


    together."


    We hadn''t had lunch together in a long time.


    ording to what Yerick saidst night, Chris had been spending his time with Jewel.


    Was he suddenly asking me out of guilt for leaving me halfwayst night, or did he suddenly have a


    conscience?


    I didn''t know, and I didn''t want to tire my brain cells guessing. I replied indifferently, "I''m not sure. It


    might not even be finished by noon. Besides, don''t you have something to do every day at noon


    now?"


    "Maddie." Chris must have caught my sarcasm. He called out my name sternly, only to pause for


    two seconds before he said, "Don''t overthink it."


    He left me in bed when we were in the middle of doing itst night. What else could I be


    overthinking about?


    Not wanting to discuss personal matters during working hours, I told him, "I''m busy right now. I''m


    hanging up if there''s nothing else."


    He didn''t say anything, so I hung up the phone.


    Today''s fieldwork included discussions between partners and on-site inspections. After finishing the


    discussions by ten, Kara and I headed to the site.


    This was a construction project for an amusement park. I was responsible for overseeing all the


    projects. Now, 80% of it wasplete. I had to check on-site to see if there were any discrepancies


    between the finished work and the design drawings.


    Although the chances of problems were slim since the partners followed the drawings closely, it was


    still a necessary procedure for me to inspect.


    After making my rounds, my feet were swollen, and my toes were aching. I found a ce to sit and


    rest.


    Kara must have noticed something was off. "Maddie, are you now feeling well?"


    "Yeah, my feet hurt/" I admitted. If I weren''t on site, I would have taken off my shoes to give my feet


    a good rest.


    "Oh." Kara looked at my face. "Maddie, do you feel unwell anywhere else?"


    Seeing me pause, Kara pointed at her face. "Maddie, yourplexion doesn''t look good."


    It would be weirder if I looked well after barely sleepingst night. Besides, no matter how well a


    woman put on makeup, it was no use if she was in a bad mood.


    "It''s probably because I''m getting my period soon." I gave her a random excuse and took out my


    phone, pretending to handle some messages.


    Kara was a chatty girl. I was afraid I wouldn''t be able to keep up the pretense if she kept asking


    questions.


    Suddenly, a shadow fell over me. Thinking it was Kara, I didn''t pay much attention until I felt warmth


    on my ankle and saw familiar hands.


    Chris had taken off my shoes, ced my foot on his knee, and started massaging it. "Are your


    shoes not fitting properly?" he asked.


    I didn''t say anything; my throat felt tight.


    He looked up at me. "Are you still mad?" he asked softly.


    "No," I replied, trying to pull my foot back.


    However, Chris didn''t let go as he continued to massage my foot. "It won''t happen again," he quietly


    promised.


    Chris was dressed in a navy blue suit with a white shirt. The custom cufflinks on his shirt sparkled in


    the sunlight, much like the man himself.


    He massaged my left foot and then moved on to my right, paying no attention to the people walking


    by. Some girls passing by showed envious looks, whispering about finally seeing a real-life version


    of a handsome guy who doted on his girlfriend.


    I admit, I was touched. The resentment fromst night melted away as he massaged my feet.


    "Maddie, you''re so lucky!" Kara mouthed to me from a distance.


    Chris had gone to such lengths. If I kept holding ontost night''s incident, it would make me seem


    petty, as if I were overly eager for what had happened.


    "What do you want for lunch?" Chris asked me.


    "Anything," I replied, not really having an appetite even though I was feeling a bit better.


    "Let''s get grilled fish. They also have pan-seared foie gras; it''s really good," Chris suggested while


    helping me into the car.


    As I reached for the seatbelt, he leaned in, his soapy scent wafting past my nose, making my breath


    hitch. Sensing my reaction, he smiled, buckled my seatbelt for me, and then kissed my cheek lightly


    as he straightened up. "Maddie, you look just as shy as you did when we were little."


    I couldn''t answer him.


    Even though the kiss was fleeting, it lifted my spiritspletely. I always felt so pathetic¡ªChris just


    had to be a little nicer to me, and I''d be over the moon.


    Thinking of Jewel, I asked, "How is Jewel doing?"


    He replied, "She''s fine. She''s already been discharged."


    When I didn''t say anything further, Chris nced at me and asked, "Why are you so quiet?"


    "I don''t know what to say," I answered honestly.


    As I said it, his words about how we knew each other too well echoed in my ears.


    Indeed, Chris and I were too familiar with each other. We knew everything about one another. We


    knew each other so well to the point where there wasn''t much left to say between us.


    Chris took me to the restaurant, where the waiter led us to a table by the window with a bouquet of


    white roses I loved. It was then I realized he had made a reservation in advance.


    The grilled fish and foie gras were served, along with my favorite dessert. It was clear he had put


    thought into this meal.


    The delicious food, the beautiful flowers, and Chris'' long, elegant hands; I took photos and posted


    them on my social media. My colleagues from the office immediately liked the post, and Kara


    replied with a pouting emoji and ament saying, "Should''ve brought me alone!"


    Before we came here, Chris had told Kara to handle lunch on her own and submit the receipt for


    reimbursementter.


    Lisa saw the post too but didn''t like it. Instead, she sent me a private message.


    "Looks like he''s making an effort to make up for his mistake. Not bad. Plus, I checked with the night


    nurse yesterday; he was just in the room with Jewel. Nothing happened."


    I quietly read her text.


    "Stop looking at your phone and eat," Chris reminded me as he cut the foie gras and ced it in


    front of me.


    I picked up my fork and was about to take a bite when a familiar figure entered my line of sight.


    Jewel, who also saw me, glided over with a smile. "Ms. Crown." Then she turned to Chris. "Chris,


    you''re here too."


    Seriously, would it make sense for someone else who wasn''t my fianc¨¦ to be sitting in front of me?


    "What a coincidence, Ms. Massey. What brings you here?" I asked directly.


    "I visited Ian''s grave. I happened to pass by when I smelled the foie gras from here and got a


    craving," Jewel replied, her voice as soft and delicate as her appearance.


    "You''re by yourself?" Chris asked.


    "Yes! If you don''t mind, can I join you?" Jewel asked as she ced her coat on the chair next to


    Chris.

 Redmption 9

    Redmption 9


    "Join us!" Chris said, without asking for my opinion.


    Jewel promptly sat down and looked at the dishes in front of her with a longing expression. "Grilled


    fish! I''ve been craving thistely."


    "Shall I order you some foie gras as well?" Chris asked without a hint of hesitation.


    "And add a dessert, please. Frozen yogurt with strawberry jam. For the drink, I''ll have orange juice,"


    Jewel said. She turned to me. "Madeline, would you like some orange juice too?"


    "It''s alright. I''ll just have water," I replied, putting the foie gras on my fork into my mouth.


    The foie gras was smooth and creamy with a milky scent.


    "Chris, is the foie gras you brought me before from this ce?"


    Jewel''s words made me pause mid-chew.


    I looked at him and saw a slight difort in his expression.


    He slowly replied, "Yes."


    No wonder he knew the foie gras here was good; he had bought it for someone else many times.


    Meanwhile, today was my first time having this.


    He was doing this out of guilt as a form ofpensation.


    Suddenly, the foie gras in my mouth lost its vor. I couldn''t swallow it.


    "So that''s why the smell of the foie gras was so familiar when I passed by here." Jewel smiled at


    Chris, her eyes filled with a delicate tenderness that seemed to ensnare me, making it hard to


    breathe.


    She then turned to me. "Madeline, Chris must bring you here often. That''s why he bought the foie


    gras for me; he knows how good it is."


    As if stabbing a knife into my heart wasn''t enough, she had to twist it. I felt the full impact of her


    words.


    I looked at Chris. "No, this is the first time. I''m not as lucky as you are, Mrs. Goodwin."


    Jewel''s smile faltered, and she lowered her gaze.


    I heard her whisper in a frail voice, "Lucky? Ian has left me and¡­ our child."


    Jewel''s tears began to fall immediately after her words.


    I was taken aback. How did a simple conversation lead to tears?


    "Madeline!" Chris'' voice was heavy as he called my name. Then, he handed Jewel a tissue. "Don''t


    think too much. You shouldn''t cry so much. It''s not good for the baby."


    "If Ian were here, I wouldn''t have to eat alone like this," Jewel murmured as she took the tissue from


    Chris and wiped her eyes. "Sorry. My emotions are all over the ce because of the pregnancy. I


    don''t want to spoil the mood. I should leave¡­"


    As she started to stand up, Chris reached out and held onto her. "You''re worrying about something


    you don''t have to. We already ordered the food. Try the grilled fish here. It''s delicious."


    Chris let go of her and was about to ce a piece of fish on her te with his fork when I


    interrupted, "Chris, you should use the serving utensils, not your own fork, to serve Mrs. Goodwin."


    Chris froze mid-action, and the atmosphere grew tense.


    Jewel nced at Chris and then said considerately, "Chris, there''s no need to serve me. I can help


    myself."


    Chris ced the fish on his te instead. Then, he took my te, picked a piece of fish, and


    carefully removed the bones for me. I remembered the time I got a fishbone stuck in my throat. Ever


    since then, Chris always removed the bones for me whenever we ate fish together.


    Chris was always like this¡ªhitting me with one hand and offering me a sweet treat with the other.


    "Madeline, Chris treats you so well." Jewel sighed.


    "Who else should he be good to if not me?" I replied, putting the fish in my mouth. After a moment, I


    added, "It would be a problem if he treated others the same way, wouldn''t it, Mrs. Goodwin?"


    Jewel nced at Chris again and softly replied, "Yes."


    The subtle exchange between them wouldn''t have been so evident if I were blind.


    "Mrs. Goodwin, how far along are you in your pregnancy?" I changed the topic.


    Before Jewel could respond, Chris interrupted, "Maddie, if you don''t eat your foie gras soon, it will


    get cold, and the texture will be ruined."


    I wasn''t stupid; I could tell he was trying to stop me from asking Jewel about her pregnancy.


    But he had assured me the child wasn''t his. Why wasn''t I allowed to ask?


    Unless there was a hidden secret about the child or he was too concerned about this woman.


    But I was his fianc¨¦e.


    "Even now, the texture is already off," I replied.


    I suddenly lost my appetite after learning that he had brought foie gras to Kewel before.


    Chris looked at me sharply when he sensed my change in tone. I returned his gaze, and we silently


    confronted each other.


    The warm and happy atmosphere we had when we first entered the restaurant was gone. Indeed,


    three''s a crowd.


    Just then, Jewel''s foie gras dessert and juice were served. The waiter politely asked, "Would you


    like the foie gras sliced, ma''am?"


    Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    "No need." Jewel declined, then looked at Chris. "Chris, could you help me cut it? You''ve done it


    before; you know just the right size."


    "Mrs. Goodwin," I spoke up again. "The restaurant offers slicing services. Let''s not trouble Chris,


    especially since he is busy with helping me debone the fish."


    Jewel suddenly bit her lip. "Sorry, Madeline. I didn''t think it through. I''ll do it myself."


    "Madeline!" Chris asserted. "Jewel doesn''t trust food handled by others, especially now that she''s


    pregnant and has to be careful."


    This was the third time he called my name in that tone of voice.


    "Ha!" I couldn''t help butugh. "Which dish in front of her hasn''t been handled by others?"


    Chris fell silent instantly.


    Jewel''s expression turned immediately to one of distress and panic. "I''m sorry, Madeline. It was


    thoughtless of me. Chris, don''t be mad at Madeline because of me. If this is how it''s going to be, I


    should just go."


    She started to stand up again, but Chris stopped her once more.


    His voice was gentle yet firm when he reassured Jewel, "Don''t mind her. Madeline is feeling a bit


    emotional because she''s on her period. This is also how she usually talks."


    Chris really had a way with words. As soon as he spoke, I felt a warmth spread through my lower


    half.


    I looked at Chris. "You''re right, I just started my period, but I didn''t bring any sanitary pads. Can you


    go buy me a pack?"


    Chris furrowed his brows slightly. "You know you''re having your period this week. Why don''t you


    have any with you just in case?"


    "Don''t I have you, my fianc¨¦, who remembers even my menstrual cycle?" I chuckled, but the smile


    didn''t reach my eyes.


    Despite Chris'' irritation, he still got up. "You two go ahead and eat. I''ll be back in a moment."


    Now, it was just Jewel and me at the table. However, neither of us touched our food. We only sat


    there in silence.


    After a few seconds, Jewel asked, "Madeline, you hate me now, don''t you?"


    At least she had some self-awareness.


    I didn''t mince my words when I replied, "I don''t hate you, but you make me ufortable." I looked


    at her pitiful expression and continued, "Chris is my fianc¨¦, and we''re about to get married soon.


    And yet, you keep reaching out to him.


    "You''ve even asked him to go to you in the middle of the night. Don''t you think that''s crossing a


    line? Would you be okay if you were in my shoes?"

 Redmption 10

    Redmption 10


    Jewel''s expression visibly turned darker, her naturally paleplexion now even more ashen. Her


    hand holding the juice trembled.


    "I''m sorry, I-I didn''t mean to," she stammered, looking fragile and pitiful as if my words had wounded


    her.


    But I didn''t stop. Since I had started, I continued, "Perhaps you didn''t mean to, but it''s true that your


    actions have affected us. Mrs. Goodwin, if it was unintentional, just be mindful in the future. You


    don''t have to apologize."


    "If Ian were here, I wouldn''t bother Chris," Jewel murmured as tears streamed down again. There


    was a saying that women were like water. Looking at her now, I could say that the saying applied to


    her.


    Her way with words somehow left me at a loss.


    "Madeline." Jewel looked at me with shimmering eyes. "The only reason I contact Chris is because


    Ian told Chris to take care of me before he passed on. Chris agreed to it." Her hand continued to


    fidget with the cup. "If not for this, I wouldn''t contact Chris."


    She was justifying herself, yet also subtly jabbing at me.


    We were all adults here; everyone had their own agenda.


    "Mrs. Goodwin, Chris promised yourte husband to take care of you, but this ''care'' needs


    boundaries. After all, you''re alone now. People might gossip if they see you two together all the


    time." I paused briefly. "Mrs. Goodwin, it doesn''t matter what others say about Chris. However, it


    would be bad if people gossiped about you, especially since you have a child. Don''t you think so?"


    She could act like the angel she was; I didn''t mind ying the saint.


    Jewel''s face fell after I said that.


    "Madeline, all this talk is because you''re worried about Chris taking care of me, isn''t it? Do you not


    trust him, or do youck confidence in yourself?"


    Her sharp retort cut through. It was theplete opposite of her usual demeanor.


    I looked at her and chuckled. The "rabbit" had finally borne its fangs! It seemed like she was done


    pretending.


    Before I could say anything, Jewel''s tears suddenly started to fall.


    "Madeline, I''m sorry. If you''re still upset, you can hit or scold me all you want. But please, keep my


    child out of this."


    "Huh?" Did I say anything about her child?


    Jewel stood up and started to leave. With her hands on her belly, she looked every bit a pregnant


    woman.


    Right then, Chris strode over and grabbed her.


    This was the third time he''d stopped her from leaving tonight.


    His dark eyes red at me with anger. "Madeline, what are you doing?" he hissed.


    Now I understood why Jewel had suddenly brought up the child. She was resorting to cliches that


    not even TV dramas use anymore.


    "What did I do?" Seeing the coldness in Chris'' eyes, I died inside a little.


    He didn''t even ask anything before he started using me. Our ten years together were no match


    to Jewel''s little tricks.


    Text content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "Chris, don''t argue." Jewel grabbed him. "It''s my fault. I know I''m always troubling you and taking up


    your time. It''s my mistake..."


    Instead of self-me or reconciliation, she was pouring fuel on the fire.


    "Chris, I''m sorry for bothering you." Jewel pulled away from Chris'' hand and rushed outside.


    "Jewel!" Chris called out and chased after her.


    "Chris." I stopped him. "My clothes are dirty."


    When he heard me, he looked at his other hand. That was when he remembered I was on my


    period.


    The next moment, he ced the sanitary pads he bought for me on the table and took off his jacket.


    "Maddie, Jewel is pregnant and emotionally unstable. I can''t let anything happen to her."


    With those words, he tossed the jacket at me and started to leave.


    "Chris, we''re done if you go after her."


    My words made him stop.

 Redmption 11

    Redmption 11


    Chris'' eyes flickered with surprise when he turned around and looked at me. Soon, a sh of anger


    appeared in his deep eyes.


    "Madeline, there''s a time and ce for your stubbornness. Jewel is¡ª"


    "I''m your fianc¨¦e," I cut him off. Saying that made me feel so lowly.


    When I watched TV and saw scenes like this, I used to think that the female lead was weak and that


    such a man wasn''t worth the effort. Now that it was happening to me, I finally understood how it felt.


    "Jewel is pregnant. I can''t let anything happen to her!" Chris insisted as he stepped back.


    A few stepster, he turned around and ran outside.


    In the end, between Jewel and me, he didn''t choose me.


    Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    Sitting there, I saw him catch up with Jewel. They struggled with one another until Jewel clung to his


    clothes and copsed into his arms.


    I lowered my head. I couldn''t watch them any longer.


    Whether or not there was something between them, his choice today gave me the answer to my


    wavering heart.


    In the end, I barely ate a bite of that meal, yet I paid a three-thousand-dor bill.


    I didn''t go back to Gildon Estate; instead, I went to Lisa''s ce.


    "Have you really decided to break up?" Lisa, the gynecology expert, massaged my acupoints,


    relieving me from the torment of menstrual pain.


    While she could heal my body, she couldn''t heal my heart.


    "Yes." I sprawled on her bed at an angle where she couldn''t see my red eyes.


    "You might find it harder to end things with him than you think." Lisa paused. "Don''t forget you''re


    Chris'' assistant."


    "I''ll resign." I had already thought about this on the way here.


    Lisa nodded. "Alright. But even if you resign and stop working with Chris, what about the Gildon


    family? They''ve raised you all these years. You can''t just sever ties with them because you''re


    breaking up with Chris, can you? As long as you have ties with the Gildon family, you''ll still be


    connected to Chris."


    Her words hit home. Yes, I owed the Gildon family for taking care of me for ten years.


    "That''s a separate matter. I''ll exin it to Bree. I can still be her goddaughter." I was determined.


    Lisa didn''t say more upon hearing this. She only added, "Whatever your decision is, I support you."


    I turned off my phone that night. I even managed to fall asleep without brooding.


    When I woke up, Lisa had already prepared breakfast.


    "Beet juice. It''ll give you the energy you need." Lisa nced at my face. "Drink more."


    I appreciated her effort and drank two cups. I even ate two eggs.


    As Lisa had an early shift today, and I also needed to go to the office, we went downstairs together.


    But as soon as we got downstairs, we saw Chris leaning against his car with a bouquet of white


    roses in his hands.


    "He must be here to apologize." Lisa nudged me and walked ahead.


    As she passed Chris, she mentioned, "Women can have heavy bleeding if they get angry during


    their period. Do you know what I''m saying, Mr. Gildon?"


    Lisa left it at that and walked away.


    Chris approached me the next moment.


    "Sorry aboutst night." Chris handed me the flowers.


    However, I didn''t take them as I reminded him, "Chris, we broke up."


    Since I said itst night, I wasn''t going to take it back just because of a single gesture of goodwill.

 Redmption 12

    Redmption 12


    His expression stiffened slightly. ¡°Given the situationst night, I was afraid something might


    happen to her. You known was his parents¡® only child.


    Now, Jewel¡¯s baby is their entire hope. If anything were to happen¡­¡±


    I understood his unfinished sentence.


    ¡°So, from now on, anything rted to her will always be your priority, right?¡± I asked coldly.


    Chris was silent for two seconds. ¡°Things will be different once the baby is


    born.¡±


    I started tough. As I turned, the newly risen sun stung my eyes.


    ¡°Chris.¡± I looked at him. ¡°There will be other problems after the baby is born. The baby might get


    sick or have idents. As long as you use this child as an excuse, you and Jewel will always be in


    some kind of entanglement, and I will always be the one you abandon.¡±


    Chris fell silent at my words.


    I made my stance clear. ¡°Chris, if we get married, I don¡¯t want my husband to be taking care of


    another woman every other day.¡±


    ¡®Madeline, give me some time. I¡¯ll sort this out.¡± Chris¡® eyes showed signs of inner conflict.


    ¡°What is there to sort out? She¡¯s someone else¡¯s wife. Even if she needs care, you shouldn¡¯t have


    to take it this far. And¡­¡± I paused. ¡°You weren¡¯tn¡¯s only close friend. There¡¯s Derick and a few


    others. Why are you the only one so involved?¡±


    His emotions were evident on his face when he replied, ¡°Because I was the only one withn when


    the ident happened.¡±


    Hearing the pain in his voice and thinking about his guilt and remorse aftern¡¯s death, I asked,


    ¡°Chris, did you do something to betrayn?¡±


    N?velDrama.Org (C) content.


    ¡°Madeline,¡± Chris called my name coldly. ¡°Do you really have to dig into this?¡±


    ¡°Yes, because it¡¯s affecting me no¡­ I pressed my lips together. ¡°Chris, since


    wife, let¡¯s break up.


    ¡°This way, you won¡¯t have to be torn between me and Jewel. Besides¡­ you¡¯re not interested in me.


    Why make things hard on yourself?¡±


    As I said this, I realized how deeply his words from that day had hurt me.


    ¡°Madeline!¡± Chris¡® anger peaked. After a moment, he coldly asked, ¡°Do you really want to break up?


    Are you sure?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m sure,¡± I said firmly.


    ¡°Fine, don¡¯t regret it,¡± Chris stated before he turned around and threw the white


    roses into the trash can.


    After he left, I stared at the discarded white roses, my eyes stinging with tears.


    He had told me not to regret it.


    Those three words revealed his true thoughts. He probably believed that I


    could never leave him, which was why he felt he could hurt me over and over again.


    Although things between Chris and me had fallen apart, I was still his


    assistant, so I had to continue working as usual. But now, my work included wrapping things up and


    handing over my responsibilities..


    I didn¡¯t immediately resign because I wanted to finish the projects I was working on, especially the


    amusement park project.


    This project was my suggestion. It meant a lot to me.


    Before my parents passed away, I was a happy girl. My parents doted on me and took me to


    amusement parks all over the country every year. Dad even said he would build an amusement


    park for me one day. Unfortunately, they died in a car ident, leaving me an orphan.


    A year ago, Chris acquired a new piece ofnd. When discussing what to do with it, I suggested


    building an amusement park. To my surprise, he agreed and put me in charge of the entire project.


    For this, I was grateful to him. He allowed ne to fulfill Dad¡¯s wish.


    had even imagined that on the day the amusement park waspleted, Chris


    3/4


    Chart: 12


    and I would ride the Ferris wheel together, and I would tell my parents not to worry about me


    anymore¨CI was doing well, loved, and cared for.


    But now, it seemed that this wish of mine wouldn¡¯te true.


    Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out!

 Redmption 13

    Redmption 13


    But the amusement park project was almost finished. I didn¡¯t want to leave at


    this critical time.


    Around noon, while I was organizing my work, Kara scurried over and mysteriously asked, ¡°Maddie,


    did you get your periodst night?¡±


    I nced at her. ¡°Am I not allowed to?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not what I¡¯m saying.¡± Kara shook her head like a rattle. ¡°I was wondering why Mr. Gildon¡¯s


    mood is so foul today. It seems like he¡¯s frustrated.¡±


    I paused before realizing what she meant.


    Then, I tapped her on the head with my pen. ¡°It¡¯s work hours. Focus on your work, and stop


    daydreaming.¡±


    Kara giggled and handed me the report we had reviewed together yesterday. It¡¯s not just my


    imagination. Everyone¡¯s scared of Mr. Gildon today. No one hase out of his office smiling.¡±


    I suddenly recalled this morning when Chris had angrily thrown away the roses. I wondered if his


    bad mood today was because I didn¡¯t get easily pacified like usual or because I had suggested


    breaking up.


    ¡°Maddie, did you have a fight with Mr. Gildon?¡± Kara gossiped.


    I snapped back to reality. ¡°Get back to work, or you¡¯ll be the next one crying.¡±


    After sending Kara away, I sat there for a while before continuing with my tasks. I reviewed and


    edited Kara¡¯s report and sent it to Chris.


    He didn¡¯t reply, and I didn¡¯t ask him to.


    At three in the afternoon, I was on my way to the break room to get some water when I ran into


    Chris. His expression was indeed as stormy as Kara had described, and it darkened even more


    when he saw me.


    Still, I greeted him. ¡°Mr. Gildon, please review the report I sent. If it¡¯s fine, I¡¯ll go ahead and update


    our partners.¡±


    But he ignored me and walked away.


    I didn¡¯t think much of it. After I returned to my office, my phone rang¨Cit was a


    call from an unfamiliar number.


    Hello?¡±


    ¡®Madeline, it¡¯s me.¡± Jewel¡¯s voice came through the line.


    N?velDrama.Org (C) content.


    I wondered what she wanted. Before I had a chance to ask, she said, ¡°I¡¯m at the


    cafe downstairs from your office. Can we meet?¡±


    Didn¡¯t we meetst night?


    I¡¯m at work right now. If you have something to say, just say it over the phone.¡± I refused her


    request.


    ¡°In that case, I¡¯ll wait until you finish work.¡±


    I had underestimated this woman¡¯s persistence. Knowing it was a tactic to force a meeting, I didn¡¯t


    give in.


    ¡°Fine. Keep waiting, then.¡±


    True to my word, I continued with my tasks. After work, once everyone had left, I went to the cafe. I


    was surprised to find Jewel still there.


    As I approached, I heard familiar footsteps behind me and saw Chris stride past me toward Jewel.


    ¡°Chris!¡± Jewel looked both excited and flustered upon seeing him.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Chris¡® face was still sour.


    Since I had already walked over, I couldn¡¯t just turn and leave. ¡°She¡¯s here to


    see me.¡±


    Chris¡® expression grew colder.


    Seeing this, Jewel quickly exined, ¡°Chris, don¡¯t misunderstand. I¡¯m here to exin what


    happened yesterday to Madeline. I don¡¯t want any misunderstandings between you two because of


    me.¡±


    I smirked at that.


    Jewel sure was a cunning one. Yesterday, she deliberately ruined my date with Chris, and today


    she¡¯s ying the good Samaritan.


    3/34


    Surprisingly, Chris scolded Jewel, ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry about my business with her. If you really


    don¡¯t want any issues between us, stay home and don¡¯t run around causing trouble.¡±

 Redmption 14

    Redmption 14


    Jewel¡¯s face turned pale immediately. Her eyes welled up with tears, making her look incredibly


    pitiful.


    ¡°Chris, you find me annoying now, don¡¯t you?¡± Her tears finally spilled over as she spoke.


    Chris remained silent. There was a dark air surrounding him.


    ¡°Ifn were alive, I wouldn¡¯t be bothering you¡­¡± Jewel¡¯s voice was faint but had an underlying


    pressure.


    ¡°Fine, you can bother me all you want, but leave her out of it.¡± Chris was referring to me.


    It seemed they were about to argue. I wasn¡¯t sure whether to stay or leave.


    ¡°I understand. From now on, I won¡¯t bother you anymore. I won¡¯t disturb you two either,¡± Jewel


    mumbled before, turning and walking away quickly.


    This time, Chris didn¡¯t chase after her but instead looked at me. I lowered my head slightly and


    started walking out. Chris followed closely behind.


    As we exited the caf¨¦, we heard the screech of tires. Both Chris and I looked up to see Jewel being


    hit by a caring out of the parking garage.


    ¡°Jewel,¡± Chris called out softly before rushing over to her.


    I stood frozen for a few seconds. Soon, I hurried over as well.


    ¡°Chris, the baby¡­¡± Jewel¡¯s face was deathly pale. She was clutching her abdomen with one hand


    while the other gripped Chris¡® arm tightly.


    Didn¡¯t she just say she wouldn¡¯t bother him? Now, she looked at him as if he were her lifeline.


    It was such a waste of talent for Jewel to not be an actress.


    The driver of the car, who turned out to be apany employee, was terrified and kept apologizing,


    ¡°Mr. Gildon, she ran in front of my car suddenly!¡±


    ¡°Get lost!¡± Chris shouted angrily, picking Jewel up and carrying her to his car.


    Since it was rush hour, employees wereing to and leaving the office. As


    everyone witnessed the scene, whispers started to circte.


    ¡°Mr. Gildon looks like he¡¯s really worried about that woman. Who is she?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not the point. The point is, she mentioned a baby¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh no, could it be that Mr. Gildon got her pregnant, and now she¡¯s here to


    confront him?¡±


    ¡°Shh, keep your voice down. You don¡¯t want the ¡®wife¡® to hear you.¡±


    Just as they finished talking, I walked over. The gossiping girls looked away in embarrassment and


    quickly dispersed when they saw the so¨Ccalled ¡°wife¡°.


    N?velDrama.Org (C) content.


    I didn¡¯t make a fuss. After all, it was normal for people to talk about others behind their backs and to


    be talked about. Chris was the big boss of thepany, so it was normal for people to gossip about


    him.


    I approached the employee who had hit Jewel. He still had an intern badge around his neck.


    ¡°What happened?¡±


    Seeing me, the intern, who was already pale with fear, stammered, ¡°Ms. Crown, she ran out in front


    of me¡­¡±


    I had seen how agitated Jewel was earlier. ¡°It¡¯s not your fault. There are surveince cameras


    around here. Don¡¯t worry too much.¡±


    Everyone in thepany knew I was Chris¡® assistant and his fianc¨¦e. Hearing my words, the intern


    visibly rxed. ¡°Thank you, Ms. Crown!¡±


    ¡°You can go back now. Any further action will probably happen tomorrow,¡± I reassured him before


    leaving.


    After that, I called Lisa to exin what had happened with Jewel and added, ¡± Let me know how


    she¡¯s doingter.¡±


    ¡°Why do you care so much? You weren¡¯t the one who hit her,¡± Lisa asked, puzzled.


    I was silent for a couple of seconds. ¡°The person who hit her is an employee of thepany. I don¡¯t


    want him to get into trouble.¡±


    Lisa was on tight duty toder, so her ce

 Redmption 15

    ?Chapter 15


    Even though Lisa sensed that I wasn''t telling the whole truth, she didn''t press further. She only replied, "Alright, let me know if there''s any news. By the way, where are you going today? If you don''t feel like going back to the Gildon estate, you cane to my ce."


    Lisa was on night duty today, so her ce was the most convenient option.


    I didn''t want to go back to the Gildon estate, especially now that Chris and I were sharing a room. But staying at Lisa''s ce indefinitely wasn''t appropriate either, even though she didn''t have a boyfriend at the moment. Everyone needed their own private space.


    "Okay," I agreed. At least until I found a ce to stay, her ce was better than a hotel.


    Although I had a ce to sleep for the night, I didn''t head there directly. Instead, I drove to the outskirts of the city. This area was an old part of town, but it was still densely popted, mostly by renters due to the low rent.


    I came here because this was where my home was. Before my parents passed away, the three of us lived here. At that time, it wasn''t an old part of town; it was an economically vibrant and convenient location. But in the span of ten years, it had lost its former glory.


    While most of the apartments in our old neighborhood were rented out, my home wasn''t. It had been preserved with my parents'' clothes and shoes still in their original ces. Whenever I missed them, I coulde here to feel closer to them, though I hadn''t visited much in recent years. Gradually, they faded from my memories and daily life.


    It took me half an hour to finally arrive in my car. I took the key from the glovepartment and went upstairs to unlock the door.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    As soon as I entered, I was greeted by the smell of dust from a ce long uninhabited. The furniture was covered in ayer of dust, and since the house hadn''t been lived in for a long time, the electricity was cut off.


    Fortunately, I had the ount number for the electricity bill. I quickly topped it up, and soon the power was back on.


    With the lights on, I walked through each room before finally arriving at my bedroom. Seeing the pink bedspread, I suddenly made a decision.


    I didn''t need to go anywhere else; I would live here.


    Although it was a half-hour drive, it wasn''t too far. It took just as long to get to thepany from the Gildon estate.


    With this idea in mind, I immediately started cleaning. By 10:00 pm, the house was spotless.


    However, my phone never rang. I had only received a text from Lisa. The message read, " The woman and the child are fine."


    That was good news. That meant that the intern wouldn''t be fired.


    That night, I slept in my parents'' house. Surprisingly, I wasn''t scared at all. On the contrary, I slept well.


    The next morning, I visited the amusement park instead of going to thepany. While organizing the report yesterday, I noticed a discrepancy between the design and the actual construction. I needed to confirm it on-site.


    Sure enough, upon inspection, I found differences from the original design. I called the person in charge, and we discussed the revision n on-site.


    It was already noon by the time we finished.


    Thinking about how I needed some items for the house, I went to the mall. While choosing bed linens, I happened to run into Jewel. It seemed her baby was indeed fine. Still, her panic yesterday was genuinely frightening.


    Now I understood that she had done it to make Chris worry. Well, it worked.


    Chris denied having any special feelings for her. I, too, didn''t believe he was in love with her. However, his behavior toward Jewel was undeniably abnormal.


    Jewel was telling the sales assistant what she wanted. "Nothing too shy. I was something that feels mature and steady, preferably with a sense of restraint."


    "Is this for your boyfriend?" the sales assistant asked.


    Jewel just smiled without answering.


    Boyfriend?


    I felt a bit puzzled but didn''t approach them. Instead, I went to another section to choose my bed linens. However, our paths crossed again.


    As the sales assistant was helping me with the checkout, Jewel came over to pay as well.


    I froze when she handed over her card.


    She was using Chris'' supplementary card.

 Redmption 16

    Redmption 16


    ¡°Madeline, please don¡¯t misunderstand.¡±


    Jewel¡¯s words made me want tough.


    Thinking about what she said while choosing bed linens earlier, it seemed she implicitly considered


    Chris her boyfriend,


    ¡°Is this for Chris?¡± I asked, looking at the bed linens that she had chosen. It was the blue¨Cgray color


    that Chris used to like. But things had changed since then. Under my influence, he now preferred


    brighter colors.


    Jewel bit her lip, hesitated for a few seconds, and then shook her head. ¡°No, please don¡¯t


    misunderstand. I¡¯m buying this for my brother.¡±


    As I couldn¡¯t be bothered with her games, I asked directly, ¡°Is Chris going to live with you now?¡±


    He had said that he couldn¡¯t let anything happen to Jewel¡¯s child, so it made sense for him to keep


    an eye on her at all hours of the day.


    ¡°Madeline, how can you say that?¡± Jewel looked visibly agitated.


    ¡°You¡¯re buying him bedding, Jewel. How am I supposed to interpret that?¡± I mocked,


    ¡°Madeline, you¡¯re too jealous. Chris won¡¯t like this about you,¡± Jewel retorted, which only made me


    laugh.


    ¡°What¡¯s so funny?¡± She looked at me with innocent yet wary eyes.


    I brushed a stray hair from my cheek. ¡°Even if Chris likes me, he can¡¯t withstand other people¡¯s


    temptations.¡±


    ¡°Madeline, why are you so harsh with your words?¡± Jewel snapped, her face turning red.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it true? Ms. Massey, yesterday you ostensibly came to thepany to exin things to me.


    You actually wanted to see Chris, didn¡¯t you?¡± I realized this at dawn, even though I had slept


    soundly all night.


    Jewel had shown up at thepany yesterday, deliberately causing a scene by getting hit by a car


    as Chris rushed to her side, all in front of everyone. It


    was all part of her calcted n.


    Jewel widened her eyes deliberately and shook her head. ¡°How can you think


    of me like that?¡±


    ¡°Then exin why Chris showed up at the cafe yesterday,¡± I pressed.


    Jewel fell silent for a moment, a flicker of embarrassment evident in her eyes


    at being caught out.


    ¡°Jewel, if you want to be with Chris, do it on your own merits. Don¡¯t step on me to boost yourself up.


    Also¡­¡± I paused. ¡°Chris and I have already broken up.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Jewel looked genuinely surprised.


    I added, ¡°All thanks to you.


    ¡°Oh, by the way, I paid for the foie gras that night. If we¡¯re going Dutch, you owe me a third. Or if


    you want to cover Chris¡® share too, that works,¡± I said,


    extending my phone toward her.


    Jewel¡¯s expression turned sour. ¡°I don¡¯t have money on my phone.¡±


    I found that hard to believe and somewhat unexpected.


    ¡°Madeline, ever sincen¡¯s ident, no one¡¯s been giving me money. That¡¯s why I¡¯m using Chris¡®


    card,¡± Jewel exined pitifully.


    While I wasn¡¯t sure if her excuse was true or not, pressing her for money would make me seem


    callous.


    ¡°Well, forget it then.¡± I took back my phone.


    ¡°Let¡¯s do this instead!¡± Jewel stopped me. ¡°I¡¯ll follow you on Instagram, and I¡¯ll transfer you the


    moneyter.¡±


    Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡±


    ¡°Please, I insist,¡± Jewel insisted, pulling out her phone and opening the QR


    Scanner.


    Seeing her determination, I realized something and opened my phone for her to scan. As she sent


    me a follow request, I couldn¡¯t help butment, ¡°Jewel, are you adding me on Instagram just to


    post things to upset me?¡±


    Jewel¡¯s gaze flickered briefly befo they dimmed. ¡°Madeline, don¡¯t assume


    that I¡¯m such a malicious person.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s hope you don¡¯t give me reasons to let this malicious view of youe true,¡± I warned as I put


    away my phone and walked away.

 Redmption 17

    Redmption 17


    Although my shopping experience turned out fairly annoying because of Jewel,


    it didn¡¯t affect my appetite. I ate arge te of pasta before returning to the office. Just as I arrived,


    I received a call from Bree.


    Since I hadn¡¯t been home for two days, it was normal for her to call me.


    ¡°Hey, Bree.¡±


    ¡°Maddie, don¡¯t keep staying at your friend¡¯s ce. Come home today. I made ravioli filled with


    fennel and ricotta.¡±


    Bree¡¯s words made me want tough. It seemed Chris had already found an excuse for me not


    being at home.


    I¡¯ve already decided to move back to my parents¡® house, so naturally, I had to go back to Gildon


    Estate to pack things up. I didn¡¯t say anything else. ¡°Bree, I¡¯ll be home tonight.¡±


    As I was leaving work, Kara came over to me. ¡°Maddie, are you okay?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± I was puzzled.


    ¡°You know how everyone in thepany loves gossiping. Don¡¯t pay them any attention. I¡¯ve seen


    just how much Mr. Gildon spoils you a lot.¡±


    Kara¡¯s words made me reach out to her.


    Knowing what I wanted, she hid her phone behind her back.


    I demanded with a serious face, ¡°Hand it over.¡±


    Under my pressure, Kara gave me the phone. I proceeded to open their private gossip group. The


    content was simr to what the employees were discussing yesterday, but they also dug up some


    past information about Jewel and Chris.


    It turned out they, includingn, were ssmates in college. It was even said they were in a love


    triangle during their university days.


    I didn¡¯t know any of this. Although it was gossip, there must be some truth to it.


    I returned the phone to Kara and drove off. Instead of going back to Gildon Estate, I went to see


    Derick at his entertainment club.


    Derick was ying pool when I arrived. Upon seeing me, he asked me to join him. ¡°How about two


    rounds?¡± he asked.


    I had been here before with Chris, and he had taught me how to y pool.


    So, I took off my jacket, picked up a cue stick, and yed with Derick.


    ¡°Not bad. The student has learned from her master.¡± He was praising Chris.


    While ying, I asked him, ¡°Derick, did you go to college with Chris?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, why do you ask? You¡¯re not trying to dig up gossip about his college days, are you?¡± Derick


    was sharp.


    ¡°Was there something between him and Jewel during college?¡± I asked directly.


    Derick stopped ying and looked at me.


    I put on a small smile. ¡°I know you won¡¯t lie to me.¡±


    ¡°No.¡± Derick took a shot, sinking a ball into a pocket. ¡°I promise.¡± After he finished, he looked at me.


    ¡°Why are you suddenly asking about this?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just curious,¡± I replied with just a few words before turning my focus on


    the balls in front of me.


    ¡°You¡¯re getting married tomorrow. Once you¡¯ve decided to be together, you should trust each other,¡±


    Derick reminded me. He then gave me a


    congrattory remark. ¡°Early congrattions on your wedding.¡±


    ¡°We broke up.¡±


    Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    My words made Derick¡¯s hand holding the stick jolt.


    After a moment, he nodded. ¡°It¡¯s better to break up now if it¡¯s not right than to marry and divorce


    later.¡±


    What a straightforward, insensitive man he was.


    As I recalled his advice that day, I mentioned, ¡°Thanks, Derick.¡±


    ¡°Hmm?¡±


    I didn¡¯t say more and left directly.


    I returned to Gildon Estate. As soon as I entered, I saw Chris¡® car parked in the


    yard.


    I heard Zack yelling on my way in. ¡°Madeline is your fianc¨¦e, Chris. And yet, you were hugging


    another woman at work! don¡¯t care if you¡¯re shameless. The least you could do was spare Madeline


    the embarrassment!¡±


    It seemed the office gossip had already reached the Gildon family. I now knew why they had called


    me back.


    ¡°Chris, if you don¡¯t marry Madeline tomorrow, don¡¯t step foot in this house again,¡± Zack roared


    again.


    Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out!


    C

 Redmption 18

    Redmption 18


    I felt touched.


    Although I was fostered in this family, Chris¡® parents treated me with the care and love of my


    biological parents. They treated me like their own daughter.


    I remembered how Chris¡® brother, Conrad Gildon, joked about how both he and Chris had fallen out


    of favor since I had arrived in this house.


    Lisa was right. I might have broken up with Chris, but it wouldn¡¯t be easy for me to break away from


    the Gildon family.


    Taking a deep breath, I pushed the door open. Everyone turned to look at me.


    Bree got up and walked over. ¡°Maddie, you¡¯re back. We¡¯ve been waiting for you for dinner.¡±


    ¡°Hey, Bree, Zack,¡± I greeted them.


    Chris also got up when Zack nudged him. He took the bag from my hand. ¡°Why are you back so


    late?¡±


    ¡°I was ying pool,¡± I replied. I knew that Derick had probably told him about our meeting, so there


    was nothing for me to hide.


    Chris frowned. ¡°Call me toe along the next time you go.¡±


    He didn¡¯t like me doing these things, especially without him. Of course, he


    didn¡¯t want me interacting privately with his friends. Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    And yet, he was out gallivanting with his dead best friend¡¯s wife. He had even given her his vice


    card, but he hadn¡¯t given it to me.


    Instead of answering him, I walked toward the bathroom.


    Chris followed me, asking, ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°Nothing, I¡¯m fine,¡± I replied, washing my hands and smiling at his reflection in the mirror.


    ¡°Madeline, I¡¯ve already exined everything. Can¡¯t you just let it go?¡±


    I looked down upon hearing Chris¡® words. As I rubbed my fingers, I noticed a small scar on my left


    middle finger. It was from four years ago when Chris got

 Redmption 19

    Redmption 19


    Gordon Yates was Chris¡® secretary.


    I still didn¡¯t say a word.


    Seeing this, Chris lowered his gaze. ¡°Madeline, what do you want me to do? Just tell me, okay?¡±


    His tone was feeble, helpless, and even a bit resigned. It was a side of him I rarely saw.


    ¡°Chris, we¡¯ve broken up. You don¡¯t need to feel so conflicted. You can take care of her however you


    want.¡± I expressed my thoughts.


    He shook his head and approached me, trapping me between the washbasin and his chest. ¡°Don¡¯t


    even think about it. We¡¯re getting married tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Chris, do you really want to marry me?¡± I echoed the conversation I overheard between him and


    Derick that day. Bluntly, I continued, ¡°We¡¯re so familiar with each other that you¡¯re not interested in


    sleeping with me, no?¡±


    ¡°Madeline, I told you that was just a joke. You saw how I reacted to you that night-¡±


    ¡°Chris.¡± I cut him off, not wanting to think about what happened that night.¡± That night was a


    nightmare I can never erase from my life. Do you understand me?¡±


    His pupils contracted. He looked lost when he finally asked, ¡°What do you want me to do so that


    you can forgive me and not mention breaking up again?¡±


    I had already said it, but he kept asking. Not wanting to repeat myself, I pushed him away. ¡°Step


    aside. I¡¯m hungry. I want to eat something.¡±


    ¡°Fine, I won¡¯t contact Jewel anymore,¡± he announced. Taking out his phone, he clicked on his


    WhatsApp and the contact list to block Jewel¡¯s number. ¡°Is that better?¡±


    Listening to the frustration in his tone, I smiled bitterly. ¡°Chris, are you afraid that you¡¯ll get an earful


    if I tell your parents about the breakup? I can hold off on telling them.¡±


    ¡°Madeline, that¡¯s not what I meant. I want to marry you.¡± Chris paused. ¡°Even though we haven¡¯t


    gotten the certificate, haven¡¯t had a wedding, and haven¡¯t even¡­ been intimate, in my heart, I¡¯ve


    long since considered you my¡­ wife.¡±


    My heart trembled at the word ¡°wife¡°.


    Before my parents passed away, Dad had never referred to Mom as his wife in public. Dad would


    only introduce my mom as his spouse.


    Dad had said that being someone¡¯s wife was the highest and most formal recognition, and it was


    different from being someone¡¯s girlfriend, spouse, or


    missus.


    Chris just said that he had long considered me his wife. He wouldn¡¯t say that if he didn¡¯t truly mean


    it.


    My hardened heart began to crack slightly.


    ¡°Maddie, we¡¯ve heard about what happened at thepany yesterday, and we scolded Chris too.


    He knows that he was wrong.¡± Bree brought up the issue at


    the dinner table. Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    7


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, Bree. I didn¡¯t take it to heart,¡± I replied. Despite seeing them as my real parents, I couldn¡¯t


    bring myself to be as spoiled in front of them as a biological daughter might be. However, discontent


    was still discontent.


    ¡°Maddie is a sensible girl. She has been with Chris for so many years. I¡¯m sure they know how each


    other feels,¡± Zack added in reassurance.


    ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯m worried someone else will sweep her off her feet! She¡¯s an amazing person. Chris


    needs to hurry up and marry her.¡± Bree skillfully redirected the conversation to tomorrow¡¯s wedding


    registration.


    Chris looked at me then, his gaze tinted with a hint of panic.


    I looked back at him. ¡°Chris, in front of Zack and Bree, please confirm your true feelings. Do you


    really want to marry me?¡±


    ¡°What are you saying, Maddie? Chris, say something quickly,¡± Bree interjected.


    Chris kept his gaze on me, his eyes deep with emotions I couldn¡¯t quite decipher.


    ¡°Madeline, I want you to be my wife. Please don¡¯t refuse.¡±


    Chap


    213


    As he spoke, everyone at the table turned to look at me, awaiting my response.

 Redmption 20

    Redmption 20


    Under Zack¡¯s and Bree¡¯s hopeful gaze, I finally nodded.


    But deep down, I left myself with a reminder: if Chris had any involvement with Jewel again, I would


    leave him even after getting married.


    Everyone at the dinner table breathed a sigh of relief after I agreed to the marriage. The


    atmosphere rxed and became warm.


    Of course, I couldn¡¯t leave after dinner.


    Back in the bedroom, Chris and I were both somewhat awkward, even more so thanst time.


    ¡°You should take a shower first,¡± Chris said.


    Just then, my phone rang. It was Lisa calling. I nced at Chris. ¡°Go ahead and shower. I¡¯ll take


    this call.¡±


    After Chris went into the bathroom, I answered Lisa¡¯s call. ¡°Maddie, you didn¡¯te back to my


    ce yesterday, and you didn¡¯te over today either. You¡¯re not back at the Gildon estate again,


    are you?¡±


    Looking at therge bed in the room, I hummed softly in reply.


    ¡°Are you and Chris back together?¡± Lisa sounded surprised.


    I bit my lip. ¡°We¡¯re getting married tomorrow.¡±


    Text content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Lisa didn¡¯t say anything for a while. When she finally did, she asked, ¡°Have you thought it through?¡±


    I walked to the window, looking at the half¨Cmoon outside. ¡°The moon waxes and wanes, just like


    human beings where there are good days and bad days. He¡¯s blocked Jewel¡¯s contact information


    and said he won¡¯t contact her again. I want to give him one more chance.¡± After saying that, I


    paused. ¡°Onest time.


    Lisa knew me well. Since I¡¯d made up my mind, there was no need for her to persuade me. She


    simply reminded me, ¡°Maddie, just remember that safety and happiness are what you¡¯re looking for


    in a man.


    ¡°Okay.¡± I hung up the phone and stood there contemting, but my mind was


    2/3


    empty. I felt neither sad nor happy.


    There was a chill behind me as Chris embraced me from behind wearing only pajama pants. There


    were still water droplets on his arms where he hadn¡¯t dried off.


    The man was wild and sexy.


    His lips brushed against my neck, lightly nibbling, sending tingles through me, making every nerve


    in my body tense.


    I knew what he wanted to do, but I held his hand. ¡°Let¡¯s wait until tomorrow.¡±


    We were getting married tomorrow anyway. One day wouldn¡¯t make a difference.


    Chris stiffened. Even though he held onto my hand tighter, he didn¡¯t force me. Instead, he kissed


    my cheek.


    ¡°Take a shower, and go to sleep early. We¡¯ll go to register first thing in the morning. Let¡¯s try to be


    the first in line.¡±


    He spoke urgently, as if he was pressed for time.


    Iughed. ¡°Is there a prize for being the first?¡±


    He hesitated and then said, ¡°There is.¡±


    He was eager, but I was against it. It was wise to leave at this moment.


    I went to the bathroom and stayed there for almost an hour. When I felt that he would be asleep, I


    came out. Perhaps not wanting me to feel embarrassed, Chris was really sound asleep, with his


    phone silently set on the bedside table.


    Although nothing had happened between us tonight, what had happened the other night had left me


    traumatized and afraid that his phone would ring.


    It was a restless night for me as it was filled with dreams. I had a dream that Chris drove to a


    riverside. As he drank in a cave with his car door open, a snake slithered in and out. It eventually


    transformed into a monkey jumping around.


    When I woke up, it was still dark outside, and Chris was in a deep sleep.


    I slowly turned to look at him, taking in his high nose bridge, long, curled eyshes, and perfectly


    shaped under¨Ceye area. Men with slightly thick lips


    Chap 20


    like his were said to be fortunate and faithful.


    As I was lost in my thoughts, Chris suddenly opened his eyes, catching me off guard. Despite how


    familiar we were with each other, my heart skipped a beat, and my cheeks flushed.


    ¡°Morning,¡± I quietly greeted him.


    ¡°Good morning,¡± Chris mumbled, his voice slightly hoarse from sleep. ¡°Mrs. Gildon,¡±


    I was startled. As my cheeks reddened even more, I shifted back slightly and quickly got out of bed


    to freshen up in the bathroom.


    When I came out, Chris had already left the bedroom. I picked out a white shirt dress from the


    closet and paired it with a pale yellow coat. I felt refreshed.


    ACY Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out!

 Redmption 21

    Redmption 21


    Looking at myself in the mirror, I tried to force myself to smile. I told myself to smile today and to be


    happy every day from now on.


    When I went downstairs, Zack and Bree had already prepared breakfast, and the house was


    decorated with new couches and tableware usually reserved for special asions.


    ¡°Maddie, after you get your marriage certificate,e back so we can


    celebrate and discuss the wedding details,¡± Bree eximed. She seemed more


    excited than I was.


    ¡°Sure,¡± 1 agreed.


    Bree looked at me. ¡°You look great today. It would be even better if you wore white.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a little too eye¨Ccatching to be dressed fully in white,¡± I exined.


    ¡°Don¡¯t listen to her nonsense. Nowadays, people don¡¯t wear white like they did back in our time.


    Maddie, wear whatever you like. Don¡¯t mind what she says,¡±


    Zack corrected her.


    I smiled as a warm sensation washed over me.


    Bree pulled me to the dining table.


    Besides the usualvish breakfast, there were also two eggs and a sausage arranged in a way that


    made me blush.


    Before I could ask, Bree whispered in my ear, ¡°This is a secret ritual passed down from your


    grandmother. It symbolizes the early birth of a child. I don¡¯t have any preference for a boy or girl; I


    just hope you and Chris can have a baby


    soon.¡±


    With my face flushed, I couldn¡¯t bring myself to eat the eggs and sausage.


    ¡°Just eat a little of everything for formality purposes,¡± Bree informed me. She was already peeling


    an egg for me and handing it over.


    Since this was something she wanted, I couldn¡¯t refuse her. Blushing, I took a bite of each and then


    focused on drinking the potato soup.


    Chapter


    213


    It wasn¡¯t until I was almost finished that I realized Chris was missing from the dining table. ¡°Bree,


    where¡¯s Chris?¡±


    ¡°He hasn¡¯te down yet,¡± Bree replied.


    Right then, we heard footsteps at the staircase. Chris wasing down. I wasn¡¯t sure if it was just


    my imagination, but he seemed visibly tense.


    My heart sank as I watched him approach me.


    ¡°Maddie, I¡¯ve consulted Mr. Xenos. He said the best time for us to get our marriage certificate is at


    precisely 10:58 am. We don¡¯t need to go so early.¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± I responded softly. However, for some reason, the joy I secretly felt had vanished.


    I knew about William Xenos. He was Chris¡® fortune¨Cteller.


    Br¨¦e and Zack quickly agreed, ¡°We¡¯ll do as Mr. Xenos says.¡±


    Chris sat down to eat breakfast. Despite thevish spread, he finished quickly. He didn¡¯t quite wolf


    the food down, but he definitely ate faster than usual.


    9


    When Bree handed him the eggs and sausage that I didn¡¯t eat, he also quietly


    Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    ate them.


    ¡°Maddie, wait for me at home. I need to go and prepare something,¡± he said mysteriously.


    Bree winked at me, mouthing that he was preparing a gift for me.


    Remembering hismentst night about a prize for being first, I naturally assumed this was it. I


    watched him leave before I went upstairs.


    Just as I was taking off my coat, my phone rang. It was a call from Gordon.


    ¡°Good morning, Mrs. Gildon.¡±


    It seemed Gordon also knew I was getting married to Chris today.


    I put on a small smile. ¡°Good morning, Mr. Yates. Is something the matter?¡±


    ¡°Ms. Crown, I¡¯m sending you an address. Pleasee over now. I¡¯ll be waiting for you there. Mr.


    Gildon has a gift for you,¡± Gordon mysteriously instructed me.


    ¡°Okay,¡± I agreed and hung up the phone.


    Gordon sent me the address to a ce called Dazzle Residences.


    I drove over and found Gordon already waiting for me. Without saying a word, he handed me a set


    of keys. Only then did I realize that the gift Chris had prepared for me was a house.


    Chris knew me well; he knew that no matter how good things were at the Gildon estate, I would still


    want my own space.


    My heart was wrapped in a mix of emotions¨Csweet, warm, and a bit sour.


    Happily, I took the keys and opened the door to the sight of a brightly lit room.


    As I put just one foot over the threshold, a familiar figure emerged from the bedroom.


    I froze when I saw Jewel standing there in her sleeping gown.

 Redmption 22

    Redmption 22


    ¡°Mrs. Goodwin? W¨CWhat are you doing here?¡± I stammered.


    Gordon, who was equally surprised, asked Jewel the same thing.


    Jewel adjusted her robe. ¡°I live here.¡± Her eyes fell on the keys in my hand. ¡°Do you usually enter


    other people¡¯s homes without knocking?¡±


    Gordon stepped forward. ¡°What? No¡­ This house was prepared by Mr. Gildon for Ms. Crown.¡±


    As he spoke, he fumbled with his phone, hastily calling Chris. In his panic, he identally put the


    call on speakerphone. ¡°Mr. Gildon, the house at Dazzle Residences-¡±


    Before Gordon could finish speaking, Chris cut him off, ¡°That house is for Jewel.¡±


    Jewel¡¯s smile grew wider before my eyes.


    ¡°What about Ms. Crown¡­¡± Gordon tried to ask, but Chris interrupted him again. ¡°I¡¯ll arrange


    something else for Madeline. Don¡¯t let her find out about this.¡± Gordon looked at me, his face


    flushed with embarrassment and guilt as if he was the one who had wronged me.


    He didn¡¯t dare say more, knowing it was his mistake to bring me here without verifying with Chris


    first.


    But it was toote.


    I didn¡¯t expose the truth. Gordon would surely lose his job otherwise.


    With the economy in a downturn and manypaniesying off employees, it was hard to find a


    well¨Cpaying job. Gordon had just started dating someonest month. If he got fired now, his


    rtionship might not survive.


    I didn¡¯t lose my temper or act out. Even I was impressed with my ownposure at this moment.


    Gordon awkwardly hung up the phone and looked at me apologetically. ¡°Ms. Crown¡­¡±


    2/3


    ¡°It¡¯s not your fault.¡± I said after a brief pause, ¡°Mr. Yates, why don¡¯t you sit over there and have some


    coffee? I need to talk to Mrs. Goodwin.¡±


    I didn¡¯t want Gordon to leave, just in case Jewel decided to pull some fainting or stomach pain stunt.


    It would be harder to exin myself if I were alone.


    After reassuring Gordon, I nced at Jewel. She was looking at me with a mixture of wariness,


    defensiveness, and a readiness to confront me head¨Con.


    However, I didn¡¯t give her the reaction she expected. Instead, I began to survey the spacious


    apartment.


    It appeared to be over 2000 square feet, with a simple yet meticulously detailed design. What


    caught my eye was the floor¨Cto¨Cceiling window with a cozy beanbag and a small table in front of it;


    it was reminiscent of a painting I once made.


    The morning sunlightzily streamed through the ss immediately soothing any underlying


    tension.


    The apartment was in the best location in all of Hilcord, with an optimal floor position. To the left was


    the CBDmercial center, offering a view of the Gildon Corporation building, and to the right was


    the vast, undting sea, with flocks of seagulls soaring freely in the sky.


    This was my dream house.


    Gordon said this was Chris¡® gift for me. I could tell Chris had put some thought into it.


    However, now his intentions seemed misguided.


    After I finished inspecting the living room, I looked at the other rooms¡® arrangements. The bedroom,


    bathroom, and open kitchen were all designed ording to my preferences. Thisyout was exactly


    like the one in my painting.


    The way I didn¡¯t say anything and only continued observing made the two people in the room


    increasingly ufortable.


    Jewel felt especially disturbed.


    ¡°Madeline, I¡¯m sure you heard Chris loud and clear. This house is mine. Please leave. I need to


    rest.¡±


    Text content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    I withdrew my gaze and looked at her, recalling the bedding she had chosen yesterday. ¡°Has Chris


    slept here?¡±


    Jewel pursed her lips.


    ¡°Let me be more direct.¡± I smiled. ¡°Have you two fucked?¡±


    ¡°Madeline, how can you say something like that?¡± Jewel¡¯s pale face showed a few traces of feigned


    superiority.


    ¡°You haven¡¯t?¡± I nced at her belly. ¡°Oh, right, now¡¯s not the best time for you to do that.¡±

 Redmption 23

    Redmption 23


    Jewel became livid upon hearing my words.


    Honestly, the act she was putting on was terrible. If she wanted to be the third party, she should


    have done it with confidence, especially since Chris had already given her the house that was


    supposed to be mine.


    She should have been more assertive. But instead, she acted as if she was innocent, even though


    she was doing something this shameful. It was like she wanted to y both the victim and the


    viin.


    ¡°Madeline, Chris won¡¯t like you if you act like this.¡±


    Jewel actually had the audacity to say that.


    I couldn¡¯t help but chuckle. I¡¯d be out of my mind if I were still hoping for his affection.


    ¡°Keep his affection for yourself,¡± I retorted.


    Jewel¡¯s eyes instantly filled with tears of grievance, proving that having Gordon! stay was the right


    decision. Without him, her tears would make any exnation difficult.


    ¡°Madeline, what do you mean by that? Aren¡¯t you getting married today?¡± Jewel asked, her eyes


    gleaming with hope.


    Her ambition was evident.


    I suddenly didn¡¯t want to let her have her way. So, I deliberately replied, ¡°Yes, we are. We¡¯ll get


    married soon. Chris has consulted the fortune¨Cteller.


    ¡°The best time for us to get married is at 10:58 am. He said that if we were to get married at that


    time, we¡¯ll have a long and happy life together. We¡¯ll be blessed with many children and


    grandchildren.¡±


    The excitement in Jewel¡¯s eyes shattered into pieces.


    Seeing her hopes crumble, I decided to deliver another blow. ¡°After we get married, we¡¯ll invite you


    to our celebration. Don¡¯t forget to bring a gift, Mrs. Goodwin.¡±


    Jewel staggered; looking like she might fall.


    Chapt 23


    Thinking of her previous antics, I added, ¡°Chris isn¡¯t here to catch you if you fall.


    11


    Jewel was rendered speechless by my retorts. She merely bit her lip. Her


    expression would indeed evoke protective instincts in any man. Perhaps this


    was how she won over Chris.


    But it no longer mattered; Chris, as of today, was just some guy to me.


    Strangely enough, I didn¡¯t feel overwhelmingly sad after witnessing such a scene today.


    The saying that hearts didn¡¯t grow cold in a day made perfect sense. After Chris had hurt me


    repeatedly, today¡¯s incident didn¡¯t wound me as much as it might have otherwise.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go, Mr. Yates,¡± I called to Gordon and started to leave.


    ¡°Ms. Crown, this might be a misunderstanding. I should at least inform Mr. Gildon and see what he


    has to say.¡± Gordon held on to me as we exited the building.


    Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    He probably knew what my choice would be after witnessing this.


    ¡°If it were you, would you believe his exnation?¡± I asked.


    My rhetorical question left Gordon in silence.


    I continued, ¡°Don¡¯t tell Chris about today.¡±


    With that, I walked away.


    When I returned to thepany, everyone looked surprised to see me.


    ¡°Ms. Crown? Aren¡¯t you and Mr. Gildon getting married today? Why are you here?¡±


    ¡°I suddenly remembered there are a few important tasks I haven¡¯t finished,¡± I replied, leaving


    everyone speechless.


    I had always been diligent and responsible at thepany. I never cked off just because I was


    the boss¡® future wife.


    ¡°Mrs. Gildon is putting pressure on us. She¡¯s leading by example,¡± Kara said jokingly. She also sent


    a cute emoji.

 Redmption 24

    Redmption 24


    When I received Chris¡® call again, I was listening to a sermon at Celestial


    Church.


    ¡°Maddie, it¡¯s almost 11 o¡¯clock. Why aren¡¯t you here yet?¡± Chris sounded slightly urgent.


    ¡°I¡¯m almost there. Just wait a bit longer.¡± waste on purpose. I had loved him for ten years and


    couldn¡¯t even remember how many times I waited for him.


    Today, I¡¯d make him wait for me. Consider it a bit of interest in my ten years of youthful love.


    ¡°Hurry up. Don¡¯t miss the auspicious time that Mr. Xenos had mentioned,¡± Chris urged me again.


    At this moment, I was sitting in front of William. He hadn¡¯t mentioned anything about my marriage.


    That meant he had no idea that I was going to register with Chris today.


    It was impossible for William to have calcted any auspicious time for it.


    I hummed in agreement and hung up the phone. I then turned it off and continued listening to


    William¡¯s sermon.


    Chris worshiped gods and deities now because when he was a child, he had a severe illness. Bree


    had gone up the mountain to pray to the gods for three days and three nights. After that, he had


    recovered.


    Since then, Bree had believed in gods and deities. She had even asked William


    to take Chris on as his student.


    As I followed Chris everywhere, I had ended up there too. William had prayed for us to end up


    together. Unfortunately, things still didn¡¯t work out between us.


    I left Celestial Church at 3:00 pm. I didn¡¯t turn on my phone and drove to the courthouse. Chris was


    long gone by then.


    I wasn¡¯t surprised at all. I didn¡¯t know how long he waited for me there. But it definitely wasn¡¯t as


    long as I had waited for him in the past.


    I parked the car and turned on my phone. Suddenly, countless messages and


    calls bombarded my phone. Most of them were from Chris.


    There were 53 missed calls and seven messages.


    ¡°Maddie, have you arrived? Why is your phone turned off?¡±


    ¡°Maddie, it¡¯s already time. If you don¡¯te soon, you¡¯ll miss the auspicious


    time.¡±


    ¡°Madeline, what¡¯s going on?¡±


    ¡°Madeline, answer the messages. Answer your phone.¡±


    ¡°Madeline, the courthouse closes in 20 minutes. We won¡¯t be able to get the certificate if you don¡¯t


    come.¡±


    ¡°Madeline, are you ying with me?¡±


    ¡°You really are something, Madeline¡­¡± N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.


    Looking at the messages, I could almost see Chris¡® expression. It went from urgency to anger and


    finally to frustration.


    Thest message was sent at 11:55 am. So, his patience for me hadsted


    less than an hour.


    I looked at the 53 missed calls and called him back. But after just one ring, he hung up. Clearly,


    Chris was mad that I had stood him up today and that I didn¡¯t answer his calls.


    I didn¡¯t call again but instead replied to Lisa, who Chris had contacted to ask


    about me. She had also asked where I was.


    I sent her a voice message, saying, ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me. I¡¯m fine. I just went


    to burn some incense.¡±


    Lisa¡¯s video call came through immediately. She then asked, ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±


    I pursed my lips. ¡°It¡¯s a long story.¡±


    ¡°Then, make it short,¡± Lisa said.


    I smiled and was about to speak when Chris, who had hung up on me earlier, called again. But I


    didn¡¯t intend to answer his call.


    Now that I hadpletely given up on him, I wouldn¡¯t be like before. I wouldn¡¯t always answer his


    calls no matter who I was talking to or video chatting with.


    Lisa heard the phone ringing and understood immediately. ¡°Is it Chris?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Answer him first. He¡¯s been going crazy looking for you,¡± Lisa said.


    Really? Could he go crazy for me?

 Redmption 25

    Redmption 25


    I sneered.


    Lisa noticed that something was off and asked, ¡°Maddie, did you find out about him and that


    widow?¡±


    Lisa was truly my best friend. She knew exactly where my bottom liney. ¡°He gave Jewel a house.


    That house was supposed to be mine.¡± I exined in the briefest terms.


    Lisa was silent for a moment before she ground her teeth. ¡°You¡­¡±


    She didn¡¯t finish her sentence, but I knew what she meant. ¡°I won¡¯t give him another chance.¡±


    Men like these are scumbags. If you forgive him, he¡¯ll just do it again.¡± Lisa shared the same view


    on love as I did.


    ¡°I know.¡±


    9


    ¡°Alright. We need to n this carefully. You can take his call and see what he has to say. Then,


    come find me.¡± Lisa paused for a moment.


    She then continued, ¡°I¡¯ll swap half a shift with someone.¡±


    I wanted to say it wasno necessary. But Lisa had already hung up the video call. Chris¡® calls were


    persistent. I finally answered his call and said, ¡°Hello¡­¡±


    Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    ¡°What are you doing, Madeline? What¡¯s the meaning of this?¡± Chris¡® yelling was almost deafening.


    I held the phone away from my ear, listening to his outburst. Once he calmed down, I brought the


    phone back to my ear. ¡°Chris, I agreed in front of your parents yesterday. But that was to give you


    and myself onest chance.¡±


    ¡°Spare me the nonsense. Where are you? Why didn¡¯t you go to get the marriage certificate today?¡±


    Chris asked angrily.


    It seemed that Gordon and Jewel hadn¡¯t mentioned my visit to that house today. I didn¡¯t bring it up


    either and just answered his question, ¡°I went to Celestial Church and listened to sermons with Mr.


    Xenos.¡±


    There was silence on the other end. Chris knew his lie had been exposed.¡± Madeline, listen to me..


    me¡­


    11


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing left to exin. You¡¯ve given plenty of exnations, and I¡¯m tired of hearing them.


    It¡¯s over, Chris. We¡¯re done,¡± I said.


    ¡°Madeline!¡±


    ¡°Oh, right. I¡¯ve organized all my work and sent it to the respective people¡¯s emails. You have a copy


    too¡­¡±


    Before I could finish speaking, Chris interrupted with a roar, ¡°Madeline, what are you doing?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ taking my annual leave.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re doing this on purpose, aren¡¯t you?¡± Chris sneered.


    I didn¡¯t respond. But I could faintly hear the sound of him yanking off his tie.¡± Fine. If you enjoy


    throwing tantrums, keep it up.¡±


    There was a loud bang on the other end, and the call ended.


    I smiled faintly and looked up at the sky. A bird flew past, free and unrestrained,


    I could be free too. I just needed to leave Chris and the Gildon family, living my own life.


    Although the Gildon family had provided for me for years, I felt like a bird in a cage. I was unable to


    explore the world due to various constraints.


    Starting today, I could fly out and explore the world I yearned for.


    I drove to find Lisa. She skipped work for me. I needed to let her see me so she wouldn¡¯t worry. Lisa


    knew how much I loved Chris. Although I spoke as if everything was fine, she must be afraid I¡¯m not


    coping well.


    ¡°You got here quickly. Did you run red lights all the way?¡± Lisa teased when she


    saw me.


    ¡°Yes. But you¡¯re worth it.¡°My words silenced Lisa, and she hugged me.


    I closed my eyes, leaning on her shoulder. ¡°I¡¯m not that fragile, really¡­¡±


    It was true. My heart didn¡¯t ache, nor did it feel bitter or stifled. I really felt nothing, as if I had merely


    failed to close a business deal.


    3/3


    Lisa took off her white coat, slung her bag over her shoulder, and got into the car with me. But then


    my phone rang. It was the Gildon family calling.


    Lisa saw it and immediately said, ¡°If you don¡¯t want to answer, then don¡¯t.¡±


    I thought for a couple of seconds. ¡°I have to face it eventually¡­¡±


    With a sigh, I answered the call.

 Redmption 26

    Redmption 26


    ¡°Maddie, I¡¯ve prepared a very special celebratory dinner for you two. I¡¯ve even invited friends and


    family. You muste back by six tonight,¡± Bree said, catching me off guard.


    I hadn¡¯t expected that she didn¡¯t know we hadn¡¯t gotten the marriage certificate. It seemed that


    Chris hadn¡¯t told her. Considering their attitudest night; Chris was probably afraid of being


    scolded.


    Hearing the joy and anticipation in Bree¡¯s voice, I felt reluctant to break the news. But the fact that


    Chris and I couldn¡¯t get the marriage certificate was already a settled matter. It couldn¡¯t be hidden


    for long.


    Besides, it couldn¡¯t be hidden even now. If the friends and family Bree invited all showed up, it


    would be even more embarrassing for Bree.


    ¡°Bree¡­¡± I called her.


    ¡°Why are you still calling my name? You should be calling me ¡®mom¡® now. Is it because I didn¡¯t pay


    you to change my stance?¡± Bree teased.


    My heart, which had been feeling numb, suddenly felt heavy. ¡°Bree, I¡¯m sorry. I¡­ I may never have


    the right to call you ¡®mom¡® any longer.¡±


    Truth be told, there were many times that I had wanted to call Bree ¡°mom¡± over the past ten years. I


    never thought that this wish would nevere true.


    ¡°What¡­ What do you mean?¡± Bree couldn¡¯t seem to catch the message.


    ¡°Maddie, are you notfortable with calling me ¡®mom?¡® If so, then don¡¯t. You can just call me


    ¡®Bree.¡°¡±


    ¡°We didn¡¯t get the marriage certificate, and we never will¡­¡± I interrupted her.


    ¡°What?¡± Bree was shocked.


    ¡°What happened? What¡¯s going on? Maddie¡­¡±


    ¡°Bree, we broke up.¡± After saying this, I felt a wave of relief wash over me. It was as if the burden


    had been lifted off my shoulders.


    Bree was silent for a long time. I began to worry she might not be able to bear the disappointment.


    Over the years, she had treated me like her daughter. And I knew how much she had hoped for me


    to be a real member of her family.


    When I left this morning, she looked so happy. She waited for me toe back and call her


    ¡°mom¡°.


    I swallowed my unease and nervousness, calling cautiously, ¡°Bree¡­¡±


    ¡°Maddie¡­ why?¡± Bree¡¯s voice was heavy with sadness.


    A mess of thoughts shed through my mind. Finally, I said, ¡°Bree, Chris and I aren¡¯t suitable for


    each other.¡±


    I didn¡¯t mention Chris¡® dirty deeds. It wasn¡¯t something to be proud of. I disdainpeting for a man


    with another woman. But the fact was I lost to another woman, and a widow of that.


    ¡°How are you not suitable? You¡¯ve been together for so many years. You know each other inside


    and out. You love him, and he cares about you. How can you suddenly not be suitable?¡± Bree


    mumbled in disbelief.


    Hearing her like this, my heart felt as if it was being crushed. ¡°Bree¡­¡±


    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    ¡°I¡¯ll call Chris and ask. It must be something he did to let you down,¡± Bree said before hanging up.


    My nose tingled with emotion. What she said was true.


    Lisa held my hand. I looked at her, smiling.


    In Lisa¡¯s bright eyes, I saw how broken my smile was. On the surface, I showed no sadness or pain.


    But my eyes betrayed my heart.


    Bree called again, but I didn¡¯t answer because I knew what she wanted to say. She must want me


    to go to the Gildon estate.


    But I didn¡¯t want to go. Bree and Zack would try to persuade and coax me if I went there.


    My mind was made up, so there was no need to listen to their pleas. It would waste their efforts and


    drain my emotions

 Redmption 27

    Redmption 27


    Lisa seemed to have read my thoughts. ¡°Where to? I¡¯ll go with you, or


    ¡°You could tidy up my house with me,¡± I interrupted Lisa.


    She looked at me in surprise. ¡°You¡­ Did you already have everything nned?¡±


    ¡°Yes, but I only nned it two days ago. I poked the backseat with my finger, where I had some


    bedding that I hadn¡¯t bought yet.


    ¡°I bought it with Jewel yesterday,¡± I added. Lisa looked horrified with curiosity clearly written in her


    eyes.


    On the way to my ce, I told Lisa the whole story. She nodded vigorously in anger. ¡°It¡¯s right of


    you not to marry him. Chris is just a whole other level of a scumbag who wants to have it all.¡±


    ¡°Scumbags are scumbags. There are no different levels,¡± I replied back jokingly with a smile.


    Lisa looked at me. ¡°Maddie, you don¡¯t have to force a smile in front of me if you¡¯re sad.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sad, really,¡± I said, looking at the road ahead.


    ¡°Maybe my feelings for him were like his for me. We¡¯re so familiar with each other that there¡¯s just


    no spark between us anymore.¡±


    That was genuinely how I felt. Butter I realized that these seemeling familiar yet dull feelings were


    like aged wine. Its aftereffect was much stronger than I initially thought.


    That was how it was for me and even more so for Chris.


    Lisa didn¡¯t know about this house that belonged to my parents. We met after I


    moved into Gildon estate and started school.


    ¡®This house is nice, though it¡¯s a bit far and old,¡± Lisa said frankly as we always did with each other.


    ¡®Yes. This is where my parents and I lived together. I don¡¯t wanna change it,¡± I said, putting the


    bedding on the couch. Then, I took the new kettle to wash and


    oiled water.


    2/3


    Lisa wandered around the ce, finally leaning against the doorframe watching me. ¡°It¡¯s nice¨Cold


    but cozy. I can tell your family was very happy here.


    Yes. If it weren¡¯t for that car ident. Even now, it felt like a nightmare.


    My parents dropped me off at school in the morning, saying they were going to discuss a contract.


    My dad even said that if the contract was sessful, he¡¯d build an amusement park for me.


    But they never came back.


    ¡°Maddie, Maddie,¡± Lisa called until I snapped out of my thoughts.


    ¡°Why are you not saying anything?¡±


    I looked up at her. ¡°What should I say?¡±


    Lisa noticed something was wrong. ¡°Are you okay?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. I just miss my parents,¡± I said as my throat tightened. A mix of indescribable sorrow filled


    my heart.


    9


    I knew that Chris would be my future boyfriend after moving into Gildon estate. But our rtionship


    only became official three years ago..


    That was on my parents¡® death anniversary. I was crying at their graves. He hugged me, saying I


    still had him. He even said he¡¯d love me on their behalf in front of my parents¡® tombstones.


    At that time, I was naive. I really thought I found someone I could rely on; someone like my parents.


    ¡°What¡¯s the use of missing them? Focus on what you¡¯re going to do next.¡± Lisa saw the pain in my


    eyes and deliberately changed the topic.


    ¡°Since you broke up with Chris, are you still gonna work for him?¡± Lisa asked.


    The water just boiled, so I made two cups of instant coffee. ¡°I¡¯ve already sent the handover


    materials to the respective people. I¡¯ve written my resignation letter. Once the amusement park


    inspection is done, I¡¯ll resign.¡±


    ¡°Resigning is the right choice. The idea of staying friends after a breakup is nonsense. Only


    distance can keep your mind clear.¡± Lisa fully supported my decision.


    I nodded.


    3/3


    Lisa was afraid that I¡¯d be sad, so she didn¡¯t dwell on the subject. She then looked around my


    house. ¡°You should get some new appliances here. Maybe a fully auto washing machine, a coffee


    machine, and a robot vacuum.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll do it once I get back,¡± I said.


    Lisa, who was sipping coffee, looked at me. ¡°Where are you going?¡± Text content ? N?velDrama.Org.

 Redmption 28

    ?Chapter 28


    It took me four hours to get to Amaty by high-speed rail. The city lights were justing on. It wasn''t as bustling as Hilcord. But it was still brightly lit, exuding the beauty of a small town.


    Lisa''s call came on time. "Are you there yet? Have you found a ce to stay?"


    She didn''t expect me to leave so hastily. When she asked where I was going, I gave her the address and the time of my train ticket.


    Lisa asked if I was leaving in such a hurry to avoid Chris. She thought I was afraid that Chris would cling to me.


    I told her that she was wrong and that Chris wouldn''t do that. He was probably angry now. After all, I had stood him up.


    Now, it seemed that I was right. Since the time he had contacted me to ask why I didn''t go to register for our marriage, he hadn''t sent me a single text or made a call.


    I came here in such a hurry because I had always wanted toe. I also didn''t want to be pestered-not by Chris but by Bree and Zack. They would definitely find me and persuade me.


    But I''ve already made up my mind. Persuading me would only waste their energy and exhaust me. Given this, it was better to leave quickly and not give them any chance.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.


    I even put my other frequently used number on airne mode. Lisa was now calling my secondary number, which even Chris didn''t know. This number was my dad''s. It had been in the other slot of my phone for ten years, never ringing until now.


    "Not yet. But I''m not in a rush," I said, looking around this unfamiliar city. It suddenly felt as if everything slowed down.


    "Why not? It''s gettingte. You should find a good hotel in a safe location. Check the closet and look under the bed before sleeping. Make sure to lock the windows and the door," Lisa instructed.


    Iughed, feeling touched because I still had her care. "Alright, I will. I promise."


    "Also, don''t forget to eat. There should be food delivery services there, right?" Lisa asked. Just then, a delivery guy walked by.


    "Should I order one to chat with you?" I joked.


    Lisa sighed in relief. "Maddie, you must always take good care of yourself, no matter what."


    "Yeah, I know. You should rest early too. You have surgery tomorrow morning." I reminded her before hanging up.


    I wasn''t in a hurry to find a ce to stay because I didn''t want to stay in a hotel. This ce


    was my hometown. More urately, it was where my parents were born. That was why I came here.


    My parents weren''t native to Hilcord. They moved there for business opportunities but never made much money. In the end, they lost their lives there.


    I was also born in this small county. But shortly after, my parents took me away.


    Although I grew up in Hilcord, my dad often spoke about Amaty. He said that he would take me here to see where we used to live. He''d also show me the orphanage they grew up in.


    My parents were orphans. They were abandoned at a young age due to their disabilities. My dad had been born deaf and mute, and my mom had been born with a congenital heart disease.


    However, they had both received surgery with the help of kind people and eventually recovered.


    I opened my phone''s photo album, where I had a picture of the address from my dad''s diary.


    I hailed a taxi and showed it to the driver. "Please take me to this ce. It''s Old Alley at Willow Lane."


    The driver nced at me after I spoke. I couldn''t help but look back at him, and I was slightly taken aback.


    The man had a buzz cut. He was tan with sharp and stern features.

 Redmption 29

    Redmption 29


    The man appeared rough and somewhat intimidating. Over the years, the men i


    had interacted with were all meticulously groomed and usually dressed in


    suits and ties.


    The appearance of this man gave me the impression that he¡¯d just been released from prison.


    I instinctively tightened my grip on my backpack. Lisa had slipped a pepper spray and folding knife


    into my bag before I had left.


    But before I could reach for them, the man had already started the car without saying anything.


    What did that look he had given me mean?


    1 didn¡¯t understand. But my heart, which had beenforted upon arriving in this city, started to


    race erratically. Due to my wariness, I didn¡¯t take in the city¡¯s


    scenery.


    ?


    When the car finally stopped, I paid and got out. My heart finally rxed after watching the car drive


    away.


    It was already 10:00 pm. Coming here was indeed imprudent. I could¡¯ve waited until daytime to look


    for my parents¡® ce. But now that I was here, there was no point in second¨Cguessing.


    The house looked really old. The walls were crumbling, the ground was uneven with potholes, and


    there were puddles on the road. My suitcase couldn¡¯t be pulled along this street, so I had to carry it.


    My dad¡¯s address was 42 Old Alley. I looked at the house numbers along the street, and I found it.


    There was even a ¡°For Rent¡± sign on the door.


    Could anyone really rent this ce? Only a fool would rent a house here.


    I scoffed as I stepped inside. It was a small courtyard with rooms on all sides


    and a tree in the middle. It was too dark to see what tree it was.


    But I knew this was a honey locust. It had been there since my dad¡¯s childhood.


    ¡°Are you looking for someone or a ce to stay?¡± an elderly voice asked.


    2/2


    I turned to see an olddy with gray hair, leaning on a thin cane, scrutinizing


    1. me.


    ¡°¡­ I want to rent a room,¡± I said as I pointed to the easternmost room. ¡°I want to stay there.¡±


    My dad had mentioned that this courtyard has three rooms. The middle one was a living room for


    entertaining guests and watching TV. The easternmost one was the bedroom.


    My parents had sold this ce when they had left, and it had been renovated since then. Although


    the original traces were gone, I wanted to stay in the room that my parents had once stayed in.


    ¡°That room¡¯s taken. You can stay in this one, though.¡± The olddy pointed to the adjacent room.


    I didn¡¯t respond immediately because I still wanted to stay in the room I had chosen.


    Sensing my hesitation, the olddy exined, ¡°That room is old. The one I¡¯m offering you is newer


    and more suitable for a youngdy like you. Let me show you.¡± She opened the door to a room that


    looked clean with fresh white walls.


    ¡°It looks nice, but I still want that room,¡± I said stubbornly.


    The olddy gave me a look: ¡°How about you wait for the tenant of that room toe back and see


    if they¡¯re willing to switch with you?¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± I agreed.


    Regardless of whether I could stay in that room, I was determined to stay here. It didn¡¯t matter as


    long as I could see the honey locust tree that still stood there.


    When I went to pay the olddy, I found out that her name was Kelly Rhodes. Then, I took the pot of


    hot water that she had boiled and went back to the room.


    Just then, my phone rang. I thought it was Lisa checking up on my amodation, but I was


    surprised to see the caller ID.


    It was someone that I hadn¡¯t contacted in years, calling my number that hadn¡¯t been dialed in over a


    decade This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .

 Redmption 30

    Redmption 30


    ¡°Kid.¡± The voice on the other end was rich and resonant. It sounded familiar yet


    strange.


    A familiar face shed before my eyes, and I called out, ¡°Conrad¡­¡±


    I had thought that changing my number would allow me to avoid the Gildons. But I hadn¡¯t expected


    Conrad to know this brother, let alone contact me.


    ¡°I see you¡¯ve saved my number and haven¡¯t forgotten me,¡± Conrad said with a hint of teasing.


    He was only two years older than Chris and looked after me before he went abroad. He always


    liked to call me ¡°kid¡°.


    I was at a loss for words. To me, his words carried a tinge of resentment.


    In the first two years after he left, I asionally contacted him to ask about his situation. Later, we


    gradually lost touch.


    9


    Conrad was not the proactive type. He seldom contacted his family, let alone me. Now, his sudden


    call must be rted to the canceled marriage between Chris and me.


    Conrad rarelymunicated with his family. Butthey still informed each other of important matters.


    ¡°How did you get this number?¡± I didn¡¯t like beating around the bush and asked directly.


    ¡°You borrowed money from me once to pay for the phone bill.¡±


    Conrad¡¯s words made me marvel at his intellect. He had remembered this number for ten years


    simply because he paid for the phone bill once.


    After my parents¡® ident, my dad¡¯s phone became a relic. One day, I discovered it was out of


    service and wanted to top up the bnce. But I had no money and was too embarrassed to ask


    Chris¡® parents. So, I borrowed money from Conrad.


    He was worried I¡¯d use the money for something bad. When he asked me what it was for, I told him


    but he didn¡¯t believe me. So, he went with me.


    In the end, Conrad helped to pay for the phone bill and even remembered the number.


    I had forgotten to repay him for the bill. So now, facing his call, I jokingly asked, ¡°Are you calling me


    to collect a debt, Conrad?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± He admitted.


    I knew he wasn¡¯t, but I went along with it. ¡°I¡¯ll transfer the money to you now¡­¡±


    ¡°Maddie¡­¡± Conrad interrupted.


    I gripped my phone tightly but didn¡¯t speak. Neither did Conrad for a moment.


    Then, his voice sounded again. ¡°My parents are worried about you. They¡¯re very anxious because


    they can¡¯t find you. My mom¡­ fainted from the stress.¡±


    My heart stopped for a second. I had anticipated his parents to worry but didn¡¯t think it¡¯d be this


    severe. Guilt and concern constricted my breath. ¡°Is Bree alright?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s fine. She just has high blood pressure from the anxiety.¡±


    Conrad paused and continued, ¡°Maddie, did Chris do something wrong?¡±


    I couldn¡¯t avoid it. I had to answer this question again. I guessed that everyone who knew about our


    situation would ask me this.


    The thought of it gave me a headache. I rubbed my temples, which were starting to ache. ¡°Didn¡¯t


    you ask him? Shouldn¡¯t you ask him first about something like this?¡±


    ¡°I did. He said he didn¡¯t know.¡± Conrad¡¯s reply made me want tough.


    ¡°Did he also say that I was being unreasonable and throwing a tantrum?¡± I asked with a smile.


    Conrad didn¡¯t answer but said, ¡°You liked him so much and was determined to marry him. But now,


    you¡¯ve suddenly changed your mind. He did something to betray you, didn¡¯t he?¡±


    His words caused a sharp pain in my heart. Even though Conrad had been abroad for years, he


    understood my feelings for Chris better than Lisa did.


    After all, we had once shared meals and lived under the same roof. Conrad had


    witnessed firsthand my love for Chris.


    N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.


    The candies I had left for Chris, the chicken wings I had saved for him, the watermelons I had


    hidden, and the diary entries that I had secretly written¡­ Conrad had seen them all.

 Redmption 31

    Redmption 31


    I hadn¡¯t intended to dwell on these thoughts. But Conrad¡¯s words seemed to have flipped a switch,


    and memories started ying in my mind.


    ¡°What did he do? Can you tell me?¡± Conrad probed cautiously in my silence.


    If I didn¡¯t exin, they¡¯d remain confused. Chris would think I was just being


    I unreasonable. Plus, Bree and Zack would still ask after I returned in a few days.


    The best way to deal with this was to exin everything now, so I wouldn¡¯t have to face it again


    later.


    ¡°He cheated on me with another woman,¡± I said and there was immediate silence on the other end.


    I knew Conrad probably didn¡¯t believe me, so I added, ¡°It was with his friend¡¯s -wife. Even your


    parents are aware of the rumors.¡±


    Conrad remained silent. I chuckled, ¡°You knew from the start, right?¡±


    There were no secrets that stayed hidden forever. Since Chris and I didn¡¯t get married, his parents


    would¡¯ve investigated. And Chris wouldn¡¯t have ignored Zack¡¯s inquiries.


    ¡°Chris likes you so much. It¡¯s impossible. There must be some


    misunderstanding.¡± First, Conrad said I loved Chris. Now, he said Chris loved


    1. me.


    It wasn¡¯t surprising that Conrad thought this way. During those years he was around, Chris often


    called me his wife and didn¡¯t allow other men near me. He even protested when Conrad and I got


    too close.


    ¡°People change, Conrad¡­¡± I said as I heard footsteps outside the door. I looked up and saw a


    robust figure sh past the window.


    Then, I heard Kelly¡¯s voice in the courtyard. ¡°Brandon, you¡¯re back?¡±


    It seemed to be the tenant whose room wanted to switch to. Kelly¡¯s question confirmed my thoughts


    as she asked the tenant about switching rooms.


    He responded curtly, ¡°No.¡±


    Text content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    The poor sound instion of the house allowed Conrad to hear the noise


    outside too. ¡°Maddie, where are you? It¡¯ste. You shouldn¡¯t be outside. It¡¯s not


    safe.¡±


    I snapped back to reality. ¡°Conrad, tell Bree and Zack that I¡¯m fine. I¡¯m just on vacation and decided


    to go on a trip. And¡­ even though Chris and I didn¡¯t get married, Bree and Zack are still my family¡±


    ¡°What about me?¡± Conrad asked jokingly


    I smiled too, seeing my reflection in the ss window. ¡°You¡¯ll always be my


    brother.¡±


    ¡°Take care of yourself¡­¡± Conrad said.


    ¡°Alright. Let me know when youe back,¡± I said casually.


    Unexpectedly, he responded, ¡°I thought you wouldn¡¯t want me toe back.¡±


    I was confused. ¡°Why not?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯ste. You should rest,¡± Conrad said and hung up.


    I sighed and put down my phone. Then, I heard the sound of water running outside.


    ¡°Brandon, why are you washing your hair with water again? You¡¯ll catch a cold,¡± Kelly nagged.


    Recalling how decisively this person had refused earlier, I got up and opened


    the door.


    In the dim light, a man in an army green tank top was washing his hair.


    The sound of water running sounded as his fingers deftly scrubbed at his hair. His movements were


    quick and efficient. As the water stopped, he stood up.


    He had broad shoulders and defined muscles along with a narrow waist and long legs. A brown


    leather belt was cinched at his waist. He looked both sexy and strong, with a hint of wildness.


    I was staring in a daze when the man suddenly turned around. Our eyes met, and his dark eyes


    narrowed slightly.


    I was stunned.


    It was the taxi driver who looked like he had just gotten out of prison.

 Redmption 32

    Redmption 32


    ¡°Brandon, this is thedy I mentioned who wants to swap rooms. Why don¡¯t you two discuss it?¡±


    Kelly¡¯s voice made me look away and break eye contact


    with the man.


    I walked over and said, ¡°Hello, I¡¯m Madeline Crown. Can we switch rooms?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± he bluntly refused.


    My lips twitched as a surge of irritation raised within me. I also felt a stubborn determination, so I


    asked, ¡°Why not?¡±


    He nced at me but said nothing. He slung an army green towel over his shoulder and walked


    past me. The coldness of the water made me shiver involuntarily.


    ¡°Mad¡­ Maddie, right?¡± Kelly asked as she approached. ¡°Don¡¯t be upset. This is Brandon Howell.


    He doesn¡¯t know how to sweet¨Ctalk women. I¡¯ll talk to him


    I had a temper too. I deliberately raised my voice. ¡°There¡¯s no need for that. Staying in that room


    won¡¯t make me a saint. Whoever wants it can have it.¡±


    Kelly pulled me aside and said, ¡°Don¡¯t be so harsh. He used to be in the army. If you anger him, he


    could carry you out and throw you outside.¡±


    I scoffed andughed, realizing I had mistaken a distinguished member of the army for a criminal.


    ¡°Don¡¯tugh, Maddie. I¡¯m not lying. It¡¯s true. There¡¯s a widow called Hammy who lives across the


    street. She used to knock on his door nonstop. In the end, he wrapped her up in a bedsheet and


    threw her out. Everyone saw it.¡±


    Another widow. It seemed I had a knack for encountering them.


    ¡°Really? Did the widow try to make out with him?¡± I asked curiously.


    ¡°She tried but didn¡¯t make it before getting tossed out. It was humiliating.¡± Kelly clicked her tongue.


    I smirked. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m not interested in men that widows fancy.¡±


    Just then, Brandon came out again. He no longer wore a tank top. He had


    Chapy 32


    Text content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    changed into a ck T¨Cshirt with a ck leather biker jacket over it. He looked solid and tough.


    ¡°Brandon, are you heading out thiste?¡± Kelly asked.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± he replied tersely.


    ¡°Don¡¯te back toote. I need to lock the gates. If thieves get in, it¡¯ll be a problem¡­


    Before she could finish speaking, Brandon had already left.


    I turned to head back to my room when Kelly said, ¡°Brandon is a good man. He¡¯s very upright. Any


    lady who ends up with him will be lucky.¡±


    What did that have to do with me? My heart, though not entirely shattered, was still bruised.


    ¡°Madeline,¡± Kelly called as I was halfway inside.


    I turned and asked, ¡°Is there anything else?¡±


    ¡°Brandon never locks his door. Do you want me to show you his room? If you like it, I¡¯ll talk to him


    again tomorrow,¡± Kelly insisted.


    I smiled. ¡°That doesn¡¯t seem right, though.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. We won¡¯t take anything. And although he¡¯s a man, there¡¯s no women in there. Don¡¯t


    worry,¡± she said, already heading toward Brandon¡¯s room.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s alright,¡± I declined. ¡°I don¡¯t want to switch anymore. This room is fine.¡±


    Kelly stopped, and I gave her a warm smile. ¡°Thank you. You should rest early


    too.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t sleep,¡± she muttered as I closed my door.


    I couldn¡¯t sleep either. Today had been more eventful than the past ten yearsbined. I should¡¯ve


    been exhausted and eager for sleep. But I wasn¡¯t.

 Redmption 33

    Redmption 33


    As Iy on the hard bed, my mind was a chaotic mess. I couldn¡¯t sleep.


    In the end, I picked up my phone and opened Instagram, seeing messages. from Kara and Gordon.


    Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    Kara had texted, ¡°Maddie, today was hectic, but I¡¯ve finished all the tasks you¡¯ve assigned. You owe


    me a wedding favor as a reward. Congrattions on your marriage. I wish you a lifetime of


    happiness.¡±


    Reading this message, I smiled wryly but didn¡¯t reply.


    I then opened Gordon¡¯s message. ¡°Ms. Crown, don¡¯t misunderstand Mr. Gildon. Please don¡¯t bring


    up any issues with him, or I¡¯ll be in big trouble.


    I ignored that message too and decided to post an Instagram story. I found a picture of the


    amusement park shadow I had taken. I then posted it with at caption, ¡°Happy annual leave!¡±


    After posting, I deleted every post rted to Chris.


    My actions resembled those of celebrities after a divorce.


    We were no longer a couple and would never be lovers. So, it was best to clear away all traces of


    love, sparing myself and others from disgust.


    By the time I finished, it was 3:00 am, and my eyes were sore. I tossed my phone aside and closed


    my eyes.


    Just then, I heard footsteps outside, passing my door. Then, there was the sound of a door opening


    and closing. I knew Brandon had returned.


    Despite sleepingte, I woke up early due to the noise outside. My eyelids felt heavy, making it hard


    for me to open them. So, I stayed in bed even though I was awake.


    ¡°Brandon, can youe back early tonight? I want to invite the new tenant for dinner,¡± Kelly¡¯s voice


    made me smile even though I was half¨Casleep.


    She was so enthusiastic and even wanted to invite me for dinner. It felt nice, like being back home.


    ¡°I won¡¯t be back. You two can eat without me.¡± Brandon¡¯s voice was as stern as


    1/2


    As Iy on the hard bed, my mind was a chaotic mess. I couldn¡¯t sleep.


    In the end, I picked up my phone and opened Instagram, seeing messages


    from Kara and Gordon.


    Kara had texted, ¡°Maddie, today was hectic, but I¡¯ve finished all the tasks you¡¯ve assigned. You owe


    me a wedding favor as a reward. Congrattions on your marriage. I wish you a lifetime of


    happiness.¡±


    Reading this message, I smiled wryly but didn¡¯t reply.


    I then opened Gordon¡¯s message. ¡°Ms. Crown, don¡¯t misunderstand Mr. Gildon. Please don¡¯t bring


    up any issues with him, or I¡¯ll be in big trouble.


    I ignored that message too and decided to post an Instagram story. I found a -picture of the


    amusement park shadow I had taken. I then posted it with a


    caption, ¡°Happy annual leave!¡±


    After posting, I deleted every post rted to Chris.


    My actions resembled those of celebrities after a divorce.


    We were no longer a couple and would never be lovers. So, it was best to clear away all traces of


    love, sparing myself and others from disgust.


    I


    By the time I finished, it was 3:00 am, and my eyes were sore. I tossed my phone aside and closed


    my eyes.


    Just then, I heard footsteps outside, passing my door. Then, there was the sound of a door opening


    and closing. I knew Brandon had returned.


    Despite sleepingte, I woke up early due to the noise outside. My eyelids felt. heavy, making it


    hard for me to open them. So, I stayed in bed even though I


    was awake.


    ¡°Brandon, can youe back early tonight? I want to invite the new tenant for dinner,¡± Kelly¡¯s voice


    made me smile even though I was half¨Casleep.


    She was so enthusiastic and even wanted to invite me for dinner. It felt nice, like being back home.


    ¡°I won¡¯t be back. You two can eat without me.¡± Brandon¡¯s voice was as stern ast


    Chapter33


    his demeanor.


    How boring. If any woman liked this man she must have a masochistic streak. I silently criticized


    Brandon in my heart.


    After two encounters, it was clear he hit all my red gs. I didn¡¯t like him.


    After Brandon left, I got up. I was still in my pajamas andzily pushed the door. The courtyard was


    bathed in sunlight, which filtered through the leaves, scattering golden flecks everywhere.


    ¡°Maddie, you¡¯re awake. I just boiled some sweet potatoes. Do you want some?¡± Kelly held a bowl of


    sweet potatoes.


    I liked such down¨Cto¨Cearth things and didn¡¯t refuse. I said, ¡°Sure.¡±


    ¡°Come over and eat,¡± she invited, already seated at the table under the honey


    locust tree.


    At that moment, I felt like I was seeing my parents and my childhood again. Suddenly, my eyes


    welled up with tears.


    ¡°Mrs. Rhodes, I was actually born in this courtyard,¡± I said, eating the sweet potato and sharing my


    parents¡® and my own story.


    Kelly nodded enthusiastically, clearly moved. ¡°You¡¯re Ethan Crown¡¯s daughter? How wonderful!


    Why didn¡¯t you say so yesterday?¡±


    I


    was touched. ¡°I was afraid that you¡¯d have other thoughts and not let me stay.¡±


    ¡°Nonsense. When I bought this house from your parents, it was a clear deal. I have nothing to fear,¡±


    she said, looking at me,


    ¡°You look just like your mother. You¡¯re so beautiful.¡±


    My memory of my mom had be blurry now, but I remembered that she was indeed beautiful.


    ¡°Maddie, you came here alone, so you must be single. How about I y


    matchmaker and set you up with Brandon?¡± Kelly¡¯s words made me choke.

 Redmption 34

    Redmption 34


    I didn¡¯t expect Kelly to y matchmaker for me. Suddenly, the image of Brandon¡¯s cold,


    emotionless face shed in my mind.


    Thinking about his blunt and indifferent refusal to switch rooms with me, I suddenly felt yful.


    ¡°Sure. Why not?¡±


    Although I had agreed, it was just a casual response. I hadn¡¯t seriously considered it.


    After breakfast, I borrowed a bicycle from Kelly¡¯s house and spent the day leisurely cycling around


    the small town.


    By the time I returned home, it was already evening. I bought an art board since I loved drawing.


    Before my parents had passed away, they had enrolled me in dance, painting, and calligraphy


    sses. They even had me learn the guitar.


    Although all these activities had ceased after they were gone, I continued drawing. It was simple


    anyway. I only needed a pen and a paper.


    Besides sightseeing, I drew a picture of the new Amaty. My parents¡® greatest wish was toe


    back and see this ce, but they could no longer do so. So, decided to draw the present Amaty for


    them.


    Text content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Maddie, why are you back sote?¡± Kelly came over as soon as she saw me. She winked


    conspiratorially.


    I was puzzled. ¡°Mrs. Rhodes, you¡­¡±


    ¡°Brandon is back, and I¡¯ve already talked to him,¡± she said, nodding toward Brandon¡¯s room.


    I suddenly remembered her matchmaking talk from the morning and burst intoughter. ¡°Mrs.


    Rhodes, you actually told him? I was just joking.¡±


    ¡°You silly girl. How can such matters be joked about? Anyway, I¡¯ve already told him,¡± she replied


    earnestly.


    ¡°So, what did he say?¡± I asked casually while parking the bike.


    ¡°He said he wants to talk to you personally.¡± Kelly nudged me with a smile full


    Chapper31


    of expectations. ¡°It seems like there¡¯s hope.¡±


    I chuckled. ¡°If it goes well, I¡¯ll invite you to our wedding banquet.¡±


    ¡°Alright, it¡¯s a deal,¡± she said seriously.


    ¡°Now, go freshen up. I¡¯ll tell Brandon to get ready too.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s fine. It¡¯s not like we haven¡¯t met before.¡± After all, we¡¯d already seen the most genuine side


    of each other.


    ¡°It¡¯s different. This is a formal meeting.¡± She insisted, making meugh.


    I had to admit that being here made me quite happy. Today, I had the freedom to roam and draw as


    I pleased. I could even speak my mind. This must be what freedom felt like.


    Despite Kelly¡¯s insistence, I returned to my room. I theny on bed without freshening up and


    grabbed my phone. It had been buzzing with Instagram notifications all day. I was curious to see


    who messaged me.


    It was Kara¡¯s avatar. At that moment, a sense of disappointment washed over me. I had secretly


    hoped for a message from Chris. Not that I expected an apology or reconciliation, but¡­


    I had disappeared without a word, and he didn¡¯t even ask about me? It made me feel like a total


    failure.


    Even if he saw me as just family or a colleague with no romantic feelings, he should be concerned


    enough to ask. Just like Conrad, who called from abroad as soon as he heard the news.


    But Chris hadn¡¯t.


    I opened Kara¡¯s messages. There were over ten of them.


    ¡°Maddie, is it true that you and Mr. Gildon are not marrying each other


    anymore? What happened?¡±


    ¡°People at thepany are saying that Mr. Gildon has a mistress. Is it the woman he hugged that


    day?¡±


    ¡°Maddie, where did you go?¡±


    ¡°Did you run away? Don¡¯t do anything rash. There are plenty of fish in the sea¡­


    ¡°Maddie, please reply. I¡¯m really worried about you.¡±


    Seeing her string of messages and thest one with a crying emoji, I replied, ¡± I¡¯m fine. Don¡¯t


    overthink or specte. Focus on work. I¡¯ll be back soon.¡±


    She replied instantly, ¡°Maddie, what happened between you and Mr. Gildon?¡±


    I responded, ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡±


    Her status showed that she was typing.


    Just then, Kelly called from outside, ¡°Maddie, are you ready yet?¡±

 Redmption 35

    Redmption 35


    Hearing the call, I tossed my phone aside and replied, ¡°Coming.¡±


    With that, I kicked off my shoes and shuffled to the door in my slippers. As soon as I opened it, I


    saw Brandon filling up water in the courtyard.


    There were several white buckets lining up. Once they were full, he effortlessly lifted them. His


    muscles were visible even through his shirt. It exuded both strength and power.


    ¡°Why are you filling so many buckets? Are we expecting a water cut?¡± I asked as I walked over.


    Kelly nced at me disapprovingly, silently scolding me with her eyes for my casual slippers.


    Brandon didn¡¯t answer, but Kelly replied, ¡°It¡¯s just in case there¡¯s one.¡±


    She then patted Brandon and said, ¡°Tonight, I¡¯ll make chicken soup. The two of you should go and


    buy a couple of chickens for me. Make sure they¡¯re free- range. Get sometro and green onions


    as well.


    This was clearly an excuse to get us out to talk. But considering my oversized slippers, it was


    indeed a bit inappropriate. However, going back to change them would make things even more


    awkward.


    ¡°Go and change your shoes,¡± Brandon said.


    It would feel even more embarrassing to change shoes now. I chuckled. ¡°It¡¯s


    fine.¡±


    Brandon didn¡¯t say anything else and started walking out.


    Kelly winked at me, urging me to follow him, before shouting after him,¡± Brandon, wait for Maddie.¡±


    I shuffled out in my slippers. They werefortable but admittedly not suitable for the asion/


    We hadn¡¯t walked far when Brandon suddenly stopped and asked, ¡°I heard that you want to date


    me?¡±


    I was speechless.


    Chupper 35


    Did Kelly really say it like that? This guy sure was direct.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? You don¡¯t want to?¡± I looked at him, taking this chance to scrutinize him properly for


    the first time. His features were sharp, with deep- set eyes and well¨Cdefined brows. His lips were


    neither too thin nor too thick.


    He had a handsome face, even more so than Chris¡®. And he was slightly darker


    than Chris too.


    People said not to judge a book by its cover. But who wouldn¡¯t look at


    someone¡¯s face when meeting them for the first time? It wasn¡¯t like we could strip them to check out


    their body, right?


    ¡°I¡¯m 31. I served in the military for eight years. Now, I¡¯m¡­¡± Brandon began to introduce himself


    when someone interrupted him.


    ¡°Brandon!¡± A boy who looked 17 or 18 called out. He even whistled and nced at me twice.


    ¡°Is the taxi yours?¡± I asked after the boy walked away.


    ¡°No. It¡¯s a friend¡¯s,¡± he answered, implying he was working with a friend who, owned the taxi.


    ¡°Do you have a thing for widows?¡± My question was blunt.


    Brandon¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Do you think you will, in the future?¡± Asking this made me realize I had developed a trauma over


    such matters. I was actually quite sensitive and fragile, but no one saw that.


    ¡°No,¡± he replied sinctly.


    I smiled, ¡°I¡¯m 24. I just ended a rtionship that had almost led to a marriage. My parents are


    deceased, and I have no intention of dating again anytime soon.


    I made my intentions clear. Kelly¡¯s suggestion for me to try getting into a rtionship with Brandon


    was just a spur¨Cof¨Cthe¨Cmomentment. I didn¡¯t n on dating again, let alone through a blind


    date with a stranger.


    Brandon looked down at me without saying a word.


    Thinking he understood, I prepared to turn around.


    Clup 35


    ¡°Then, how about marriage?¡± His words shocked me, and I looked at him int


    Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    surprise.


    Brandon stood up straight, and his eyes met mine. He repeated, ¡°Getting married and registering for


    marriage¡­¡±


    Act Fast, Free Bonus Time is Running Out!

 Redmption 36

    Redmption 36


    I never imagined that a man I had only met twice would want to marry me. Yet, the man I had dated


    for ten years had cheated on me.


    After a brief shock, I smiled and said, ¡°Mr. Howell, isn¡¯t this a bit too abrupt?¡±


    Brandon¡¯s expression remained unchanged. He looked as serious as ever as he replied, ¡°Don¡¯t


    people date to marry? Since you don¡¯t want to date, let¡¯s just get married.¡±


    His words made sense in a way. Buting from him, it seemed odd. Would a normal person


    randomly marry a stranger? This kind of plot wasmon in


    novels, but this was real life.


    I raised my eyebrows and smiled sarcastically. ¡°Do you say this to every blind date, Mr. Howell?¡±


    At this moment, the setting sun cast its light on us. Brandon¡¯s shadow enveloped me as he said,


    ¡°You¡¯re the first.¡±


    My throat felt a little dry. ¡°We¡­ don¡¯t know each other that well.¡±


    Brandon didn¡¯t respond, and we stood facing each other. In this atmosphere, felt myself getting


    warm. Even the tip of my nose was sweating.


    I scratched at the wall behind me, thinking of something to say. Then, Brandon said, ¡°I¡¯ll go buy the


    chicken.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t eattro,¡± I blurted out, not knowing why.


    Brandon acknowledged my words with a hum and strode away.


    I watched him walk away. He was over six feet tall, with a straight posture. Under the sunset light,


    he radiated a strong sense of security.


    A bold thought crossed my mind. Perhaps a spontaneous marriage with someone like him wouldn¡¯t


    be so bad. Besides, he was a soldier. He was tested by the country and likely capable of handling


    life¡¯s challenges.


    When I returned home, Kelly wasn¡¯t around. Otherwise, she would¡¯ve cornered me with questions.


    Or, she¡¯d try to persuade me about how good Brandon was.


    Pushing open the door to my room, I heard my phone buzzing on the bed. It


    217


    was a call from Lisa.


    ¡°How was the first day of your trip? Any joys or gains?¡± Lisa¡¯s voice sounded tired. As a top¨Cnotch


    doctor, it wasn¡¯t easy for her. She often spent five or six hours straight in surgery.


    Lying on the bed, I reflected on the day and finally told Lisa. ¡°Does a romantic encounter count as a


    gain?¡±


    N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.


    ¡°What? That¡¯s exciting!¡± Lisa eximed and sounded excited.


    I giggled and recounted the story about Brandon.


    Lisa sighed, ¡°Maddie, God is fair. When He closes a door, He opens another.¡±


    ¡°You haven¡¯t even met him, yet you¡¯re calling him an opportunity? Besides, I¡¯m not in the mood right


    now.¡± As I said this, I felt a cool breeze pass through my


    chest.


    ¡°A man who wants to marry you right away must mean that he fell in love with you at first sight,¡±


    Lisa said confidently as if she were an expert.


    I snorted. ¡°Why don¡¯t you say he might have just found me attractive ?¡± I was confident in my looks,


    having won the beauty pageant.


    ¡°You said he¡¯s a soldier. Trust the country.¡± Lisa¡¯s thoughts aligned with mine.


    I stayed silent, and Lisa continued, ¡°I was worried you¡¯d feel lonely and cold on this trip. But now


    you¡¯ve had this romantic encounter. I believe you¡¯ll soon heal from the wounds Chris left behind.¡±


    Mentioning Chris made my heart feel heavy with a mix of grievance and suffocation. It was


    something I hadn¡¯t felt yesterday. This feeling made me a bit nauseous and even gave me a slight


    urge to run to the restroom.


    When I was nervous, upset, or uneasy, my stomach would act up.¡±


    ¡°Maddie, if I were you, I¡¯d marry the soldier and show up at the Gildons doorstep. That¡¯d shake up


    that bastard Chris. It saves you the trouble of arguing with the Gildons.¡± Lisa was an angel, but she


    could be quite venomous and ruthless.

 Redmption 37

    Redmption 37


    I softly hummed in agreement. ¡°That¡¯s a good suggestion. I¡¯ll think about it.¡±


    ¡°Think about it seriously.¡±


    Lisa paused before adding, ¡°Maddie, the best way to forget someone and move on from a


    rtionship is to start a new one quickly.¡±


    ¡°Got it, Ms. Carline.¡± I hung up andy on the bed, staring nkly.


    Outside, I heard Brandon¡¯s footsteps. I could tell it was him by the steady, powerful sound.


    After a while, the tap turned on and Kelly¡¯s voice sounded. She asked, ¡°Why are you alone?


    Where¡¯s Maddie?¡±


    didn¡¯t hear Brandon¡¯s response, but I did hear him say, ¡°Don¡¯t puttro in the chicken soup.¡±


    Hearing this, I smiled. As I smileg, tears began to fall.


    Over the past few years in the Gildon family, I had been eatingtro. But before that, I never did


    when I was with my parents.


    There was a saying that when in Rome, do as the Romans do. I lived in the Gildon¡¯s family as Chris


    fianc¨¦e and Bree treated me as her own daughter. But I always knew that I wasn¡¯t truly one of


    them.


    In many small details, Ipromised myself to avoid seeming demanding or spoiled. Forcing


    myself to eattro was only one of the examples. Text content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    When Kelly called me to eat, I had already fallen asleep. Leven had a dream. where I was getting a


    marriage certificate with Brandon. I was just about to sign when I was woken up.


    I


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you and Brandon talk things out?¡± Kelly asked at the dinner table.


    Thinking about the interrupted dream, I snorted. ¡°We were about to get the marriage certificate, but


    then¡­ you called. So, we didn¡¯t sign.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Kelly was confused. ¡°The two of you are getting married just like that? You¡¯re not even


    going to talk for a couple of days?¡±


    I sighed. ¡°No. I meant in my dream.¡±


    ¡°Maddie, you¡¯ve got good taste. If you miss out on Brandon, you¡¯ll regret it. If I were 50 years


    younger, I¡¯d pursue him myself,¡± Kelly teased.


    I burst intoughter. Kelly was indeed funny.


    ¡°Don¡¯tugh. I¡¯m serious. If you don¡¯t act quickly, that widow will snatch him up, ¡± she said.


    At this point, it was just me and Kelly at the table. I couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Mrs. Rhodes, where¡¯s


    Brandon?¡±


    ¡°He went out to drink with a friend.¡±


    I ate a spoonful chicken soup, savoring its vor. ¡°Doesn¡¯t he have to drive? Isn¡¯t it bad to drink?


    ¡°He


    only helps out asionally. He doesn¡¯t drive all the time,¡± Kelly exined. Then, she looked at me


    and asked, ¡°Are you really going to get married?¡±


    ¡°No, I was just dreaming about it,¡± I rified, earning another eye roll from Kelly.


    I didn¡¯t see Brandon for the rest of the night. But just as I was about to fall asleep, I heard hime


    back.


    Kelly¡¯s voice followed as she said, ¡°Make sure to lock the door. We have a youngdy in the house


    now.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s all locked. You can sleep now.¡± Brandon¡¯s voice was low and clear. It was particrly pleasant


    to hear at night.


    I smiled and then heard Kelly add, ¡°Brandon, you need to hurry. Maddie said she dreams of


    marrying you.¡±


    I sat up in bed abruptly. I had never said that!


    Kelly was really talkative, spreading rumors just like that.


    Now I really wouldn¡¯t be able to face him. As I stewed over this, I heard Brandon¡¯s reply. ¡°Got it. I


    hurry.¡±


    I was speechless.

 Redmption 38

    Redmption 38


    That night, I slept deeply and soundly. Suddenly, I was awakened by noises outside. It wasn¡¯t


    Brandon talking, but a woman with a local ent.


    Judging by the voice, it wasn¡¯t a youngdy. Youngdies¡® voices were soft and clear. A woman¡¯s


    voice was usually heavier and rougher.


    I had a knack for recognizing people by their voices. Yet, I failed to realize that the man I loved for


    ten years turned out to be a jerk.


    People said you forget someone when you stop thinking about them


    constantly. But it seemed I haven¡¯t reached that point. I still involuntarily think about Chris, even if it


    wasn¡¯t out of love but resentment. 1 found myself thinking of him often.


    I didn¡¯t get out of bed but listened intently to the conversation outside.


    ¡°Mrs. Rhodes, where¡¯s Brandon?¡± the woman asked.


    ¡°He left early this morning,¡± Kelly, replied. Her voice was apanied by the sound of running


    water.


    ¡°He left? I thought he hadn¡¯t gotten up yet.¡± The woman¡¯s voice carried a hint ofughter.


    ¡°Hammy, why do you care whether Brandon¡¯s up or not? He¡¯s not interested in you, so stop wasting


    your efforts,¡± Kelly said bluntly.


    Most people wouldn¡¯t be able to handle such directness. But the woman outside didn¡¯t seem fazed


    and evenughed. ¡°Mrs. Rhodes, what do you know? Men like to y hard to get. Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    I chuckled to myself. This woman was quite confident.


    ¡°All I know is that he tossed you out like a rag doll,¡± Kelly retorted mercilessly.


    ¡°You¡¯re old. What do you know?¡± Hammy sounded annoyed.


    ¡°I know enough to be ashamed and know that people need dignity.¡± Kelly¡¯s words made me silently


    apud her again.


    ¡°Mrs. Rhodes, we¡¯re neighbors. I¡¯ve taken care of you quite a bit. You don¡¯t have to help, but don¡¯t


    mock me.¡± Hammy started ying the morality card.


    Kelly wasn¡¯t having it. ¡°Yes, you¡¯ve helped me. But it¡¯s only because you wanted. to see more of


    Brandon.¡±


    I


    Iughed under the covers. Kelly¡¯s sharp tongue was truly formidable.


    ¡°Alright, enough of that. I heard you took in a prettydy. Is that true?¡± Hammy. shifted the topic to


    me.


    ¡°Yes. She¡¯s fair and delicate. Plus, she¡¯s a proper and decentdy. I¡¯m even fond of her,¡± Kelly


    praised me to the skies, making me instinctively touch my own face. My skin was indeed smooth


    and soft.


    ¡°Is that so? I¡¯d like to see her. Where is she?¡± Hammy asked.


    I hurriedly sat up in bed. It seemed that she was here for me. She was probably worried that I¡¯d


    steal her beloved Brandon from her.


    I slipped my dainty feet with painted toenails into my slippers. I then stood up in my white silk


    nightgown. The thin straps looked like they could snap at any


    moment.


    My hair was tousled and voluminous from sleep. It gave me azy yet charming allure.


    I opened the door, yawned, and walked out. ¡°Mrs. Rhodes, your ce has poor soundproofing. I get


    woken up every day.¡±


    As I spoke, Hammy turned to look at me. Her eyes first filled with amazement and then with


    jealousy and envy.


    Kelly nced at me. ¡°There¡¯s nothing I can do about that. This is a small ce. I¡¯ll make sure to


    close the door next time to keep out unwanted guests.¡±


    Iughed inwardly. ¡°Thanks, Mrs. Rhodes.¡±


    I then picked up my toothbrush and toothpaste from the sink. Next to mine was a military¨Cgreen¨C


    toothbrush holder. It was unmistakably Brandon¡¯s.


    Mine was pink, and his was green. His wasrge, and mine was small. They looked quite nice


    together.

 Redmption 39

    Redmption 39


    I picked up the toothbrush holder, filled it with water, and began brushing my teeth. I didn¡¯t spare a


    nce at Hammy. But she didn¡¯t take her eyes off me, scrutinizing me from head to toe and back


    again.


    ¡°Maddie, this is Hammy Smith,¡± Kelly introduced.


    My mouth was full of toothpaste as I nodded at Hammy.


    She had a round face, but she wasn¡¯t overweight. She was dressed in a floral dress, and her


    makeup showed she had put effort into her appearance.


    ¡°Hammy, this is Madeline Crown. Isn¡¯t her skin as smooth as I said?¡± Kelly asked as she washed


    some clothes by hand.


    When Hammy¡¯s eyes met mine, she looked insecure. But she didn¡¯t admit it, saying, ¡°She¡¯s young.


    Of course her skin is smooth. I wasn¡¯t bad at her age.


    either.¡±


    Text content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Kelly pursed her lips. Hammy rolled her eyes. Watching their subtle conflict felt


    like aedy.


    As I finished brushing my teeth, Hammy asked, ¡°Ms. Crown, are you here to visit some rtives?


    Or are you here just for fun?¡±


    ¡°Fun,¡± I said, rinsing out the toothbrush holder.


    ¡°Did youe alone? Didn¡¯t your boyfriend tag along?¡± Hammy¡¯s question. made meugh.


    ¡°I¡¯m single.¡± My answer made her face visibly darken.


    ¡°Brandon took a liking to her and has asked me to matchmake them. Hammy, don¡¯t you think they¡¯ll


    make a good couple?¡± Kelly asked supportively.


    Hammy¡¯s lips twitched, and she finally said, ¡°He¡¯s just a toad. Even if a toad wants a swan, the


    swan has to want him back.¡±


    In her jealousy, she had inadvertently admitted that I was the swan.


    Kelly looked at me. ¡°Maddie, didn¡¯t you say that you dreamt of getting married to Brandon?¡±


    Chap 39


    ¡°Yes¡­¡±


    Hammy was speechless. Her gaze turned resentful and angry. She then


    dered, ¡°Ms. Crown, let me make this clear to you. Brandon is my man. Don¡¯t


    dare go after him.¡±


    you


    I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. ¡°Well¡­ have you two made out?¡±


    Hammy¡¯s face flushed, reminding me of the scene where Brandon had supposedly tossed her out.


    ¡°You haven¡¯t made out, aren¡¯t dating, and aren¡¯t married. Then, whatever happens between him and


    me isn¡¯t your business, right?¡± I replied without politeness.


    Hammy couldn¡¯t find the words to respond. She red at me and Kelly before storming off.


    ¡°I¡¯ve never seen someone so shameless. It¡¯s embarrassing for us women. Kelly chuckled, wringing


    out clothes to hang them up.


    ¡°Mrs. Rhodes, let me help,¡± I offered.


    The clothes were hung on a thin steel wire in the yard. I hadn¡¯t noticed it before, but now, I saw


    Brandon¡¯s green vest among them.


    My mind shed to the image of him wearing that vest with his muscles taut as he washed his hair.


    Lfelt my cheeks heat up for some unknown reason.


    I didn¡¯t see Brandon that day, nor the next. When I asked Kelly about it, she said that Brandon had


    returned and then left again. I got the feeling that he was deliberately avoiding me.


    Could it be that my rejection had embarrassed him?


    But why should that concern me?


    I didn¡¯t dwell on it. Three dayster, I had already adapted to life in this small valley. I especially


    enjoyed the lively street markets in the afternoons.


    Whether or not I had anything to buy, I always took a stroll. I sometimes picked. up some fruit or


    vegetables.


    Today, the watermelons at the market looked good, so I bought one. But as I approached the


    house, I suddenly slipped as I stepped on something.


    My ankle twisted painfully, and I began to fall. Suddenly, a pair of strong arms


    caught me around the waist.

 Redmption 40

    Redmption 40


    I looked up and saw Brandon¡¯s stern and chiseled face. He not only caught me but also managed to


    grab the watermelon from my hand. Such a dreamy scene. was usually seen only in TV shows. But


    it was happening to me in real life now.


    After steadying me, he let go. But as soon as I moved, a sharp pain shot through my ankle. I


    grabbed his arm. ¡°It hurts¡­¡±


    Following my gaze, he saw my pale ankle already turning red. ¡°Did you sprain it?


    Brandon was very close. His deep voice sounded especially sexy and pleasant.


    I nodded. And the next second, he ced the watermelon back in my hands and lifted me up.


    In all the years I was with Chris, he never held me like this. Brandon suddenly carrying me like this


    made my heart race. Even my nose started to sweat.


    Whenever I got nervous or excited, I tend to sweat from my nose.


    I heard murmurs from the neighbors and passersby. In such a small town, people aren¡¯t used to


    seeing such behavior between men and women.


    Brandon seemed oblivious to the onlookers as he carried me into the


    courtyard. As we entered, I noticed Hammy standing there with a spat in her hand. She looked at


    me with resentful eyes.


    ¡°Oh, you carried her back? You two are progressing quickly,¡± Kelly teased us with shining eyes.


    ¡°She got hurt,¡± Brandon exined as he set me down on the bench in the courtyard. He then


    squatted down, removed my shoe, and held my foot.


    His hands were cool. As his palm enveloped my foot, a strange sensation spread from my sole. My


    toes instinctively curled.


    ¡°Don¡¯t move,¡± Brandon said, pressing the swollen area of my ankle.


    ¡°It hurts¡­¡± I winced.


    But he didn¡¯t stop, probing my ankle. ¡°Does it hurt here?¡±


    I shook my head. He pressed other spots and then concluded, ¡°It¡¯s probably just a muscle sprain;


    not a bone injury.¡±


    ¡°How can you be so sure?¡± I blurted out.


    Brandon gave me a sideways nce, and Kelly answered for him, ¡°He was a soldier. He knows a


    lot.¡±


    Did being a soldier make one an all¨Cpurpose expert?


    I mused silently as Brandon stood up and said, ¡°Don¡¯t move. I¡¯ll get some


    medicinal oil.¡±


    He strode away. I noticed he was wearing a tight ck T¨Cshirt and navy work pants. He looked very


    much like a special agent from a TV drama.


    Text content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°What did you slip on?¡± Kelly asked.


    I pointed outside. ¡°Something on the road, I guess. I just slipped.¡±


    ¡°Where exactly did you slip?¡± she asked further.


    ¡°Right past Hammy¡¯s ce,¡± I replied. Kelly started walking toward the door.


    Brandon returned with the medicinal oil. He knelt beside me again, cing my foot on his knee.


    Knowing what he was about to do, I quickly said, ¡°I¡¯ll do it myself.¡±


    He looked at me. ¡°This needs to be rubbed properly to be effective. You can¡¯t apply the necessary


    pressure.¡±


    With that, he poured the oil into his palm, rubbed his hands together, and then began massaging


    my swollen ankle. The pain mixed with a faint tingling


    sensation as he worked.

 Redmption 41

    Redmption 41


    Not long ago, Chris had also massaged my foot. At that time, I felt moved, but it didn¡¯t feel like this. I


    didn¡¯t know why. Perhaps it was a different technique.


    As Brandon finished massaging my ankle, I heard Kelly shouting outside,¡± Listen up, all of you! Who


    dares to harm my people? I won¡¯t be nice to those who harm them from now on!¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± I asked softly.


    Brandon removed my foot from his knee and ced it on another bench. As he stood up, I noticed


    that his face was a bit red. I thought that he was hot, but the next thing he said made me realize


    otherwise.


    He said, ¡°From now on, try to avoid wearing dresses around here.¡±


    I looked down at my dress. It was a sapphire blue silk dress that clung to my body and had a high


    slit. Sitting like this, the slit had ridden up, revealing my thighs.


    While he was massaging my foot, he had probably seen something.


    My face reddened. But I was determined not to lose my dignity. I nonchntly asked, ¡°What¡¯s


    wrong? Does my dress bother you?¡±


    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    Brandon¡¯s Adam¡¯s apple bobbed twice quickly, then he strode out of the courtyard. A momentter,


    Kelly stopped shouting.


    Curious about what was happening outside, I hopped to the door and saw Brandon standing with


    his back to me. In front of him was his rumored love.


    interest, Hammy.


    ¡°Your actions constitute intentional harm. If reported to the police, you¡¯ll face legal consequences,¡±


    Brandon said, pointing to a puddle of oil on the ground. That was exactly where I had slipped


    earlier.


    So, my fall wasn¡¯t an ident. It was intentional.


    ¡°What makes you say I did it? Did you see me?¡± Hammy retorted.


    Kelly chimed in, ¡°I asked around. Someone saw you pouring oil here.¡±


    Hammy fell silent. Her eyes filled with pitiful tears as she looked at Brandon.


    But her words were sharp. ¡°She seduced you¡­¡±


    I seduced Brandon? Hammy really knew how to pin the me on me.


    Seeing how Kelly and Brandon were standing up for me, I felt I had to do something to repay their


    efforts.


    So, I hopped over and leaned against the wall for support. I walked up and took Brandon¡¯s arm


    without causing a scene. Smiling at Hammy, I said, ¡°Thanks for the incident. It made me realize how


    good a man Brandon is.¡±


    Hammy¡¯s face turned white.


    I squeezed Brandon¡¯s arm, feeling his solid and stic muscles. ¡°Let¡¯s go. You can cut the


    watermelon for me.¡±


    My voice was so sweet it gave me goosebumps. I had never spoken like this; not even to Chris.


    Brandon looked at me, his eyes darkening. At the next moment, he picked me up again. He carried


    me so effortlessly. It was as if I were a small bag he could easily lift.


    ¡°Look at that. Just look. When he carries her, it¡¯s into the house. When he carried you, it was out the


    door,¡± Kelly taunted Hammy again.


    Hammy had nned to trip me up but ended up being thwarted by the three of us. She not only


    failed to gain anything but also lost a bowl of oil.


    Back in the courtyard, Brandon¡¯s cool voice came from above me. ¡°Do you want to go into your


    room or stay outside?¡±


    ¡°Outside. I want to eat watermelon,¡± I said, nodding toward the spot where I sat just now.


    Brandon carried me over. As he put me down, his chin brushed against my


    tickling it.


    nose


    When I saw him swallow hard, I asked without thinking, ¡°Brandon, are you trying to seduce me?¡±

 Redmption 42

    Redmption 42


    This was the first time I had said something so bold. Brandon paused, then responded in a cool and


    detached manner. ¡°You¡¯re overthinking it.¡±


    I felt a bit awkward.


    He turned around and started cutting the watermelon. He arranged them neatly on a te as if they


    were soldiers waiting for inspection. Watching him, I suddenly felt a strong urge to explore his room


    again.


    ¡°Why aren¡¯t you eating? Just looking at it won¡¯t satisfy you,¡± Kelly teased me.


    I realized that Kelly was no ordinary person. She could scold with her hands on her hips. But she


    showed care with warmth and told a risque joke without missing a beat.


    was just waiting for you. You¡¯ve worked hard standing up for me,¡± I replied yfully, handing her the


    biggest piece of watermelon.


    Kelly didn¡¯t hesitate and took a bide. ¡°It¡¯s sweet. But I can¡¯t eat much because of my high blood


    sugar.¡±


    Text content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    I started eating the watermelon too. But Brandon went back to his room and didn¡¯te out again.


    When it was time for dinner, he left. I wanted to ask if her wasn¡¯t going to eat. But he walked so fast


    I didn¡¯t get the chance.


    Kelly snorted beside me. ¡°Brandon is quite aloof. It¡¯s only because you caught his eye that he treats


    you this way.¡±


    Treats me how? I didn¡¯t ask, but his massage did help. After a good night¡¯s sleep, my foot didn¡¯t hurt


    anymore.


    The next morning, the courtyard was unusually quiet. It was as if no one was


    there.


    I walked out in my slip dress and immediately locked eyes with two pairs of eyes at the table.


    Brandon¡¯s eyes met mine for a few seconds before he quickly looked away. I noticed his ears were


    red again.


    I looked at my outfit, and my face flushed as well.


    I quickly turned back into my room. But Kelly called out warmly, ¡°Maddie, why


    are you going back inside? Come and have some oatmeal.¡±


    By the time I came back out dressed, Brandon had already left. I nced toward his room. ¡°Why


    isn¡¯t he eating already?¡±


    ¡°He got scared off by you,¡± Kelly said. She then scooted closer to me and said, ¡± You have some


    pretty high¨Clevel tactics, youngdy.¡±


    I


    Her suggestive winks made it clear what she was implying. But I hadn¡¯t done. anything on purpose.


    ¡°Mrs. Rhodes, having such thoughts at your age isn¡¯t good for your health.¡± I


    teased back.


    She looked at me. ¡°What did you say? What thoughts? Have I been too nice to you these past few


    days, letting you insult me indirectly?¡±


    Iughed. ¡°No, no. I wasplimenting you. At your age, you¡¯re still sharp¨Ceyed and quick¨Cwitted.


    Nothing escapes your keen perception.¡±


    ¡°So, there is something between you and Brandon?¡±


    I looked at my pale feet, thinking of another man who had once massaged them. ¡°Mrs. Rhodes, I¡¯m


    really not in the mood for romance now. It hurts too


    much.¡±


    ¡°It hurts, huh?¡± Kelly clicked her tongue. ¡°The best remedy is to find someone and heal those


    wounds.¡±


    Kelly¡¯s thoughts were quite forward.


    I pressed my lips together. ¡°Not now. I just want to be alone for a while.


    Kelly sighed. ¡°There are some people you might miss for a lifetime if you miss the chance. But do


    as you wish¡­¡±


    She got up to wash her bowl, leaving me alone to finish my oatmeal.


    After breakfast, I left on my bike. I didn¡¯t see Brandon, not knowing if he had. already left or was still


    inside his room.


    When I returned in the evening, Kelly was humming a tune in the courtyard, looking quite cheerful.

 Redmption 43

    Redmption 43


    had been staying here for a few days and hadn¡¯t seen Kelly¡¯s childrene to visit her. I didn¡¯t ask


    about it. But it felt like she had adopted both Brandon and. me as her own children.


    One night, Lisa called me and asked when I wasing back. I told her I hadn¡¯t decided yet


    because I was genuinely happy here. I was happier than I had been since my parents left. I was


    even considering extending my vacation until I got tired of it.


    ¡°Are you reluctant to leave Soldier Boy?¡± Lisa teased me.


    I thought about a few but inexplicably heart¨Cfluttering interactions with Brandon. I replied, ¡°Not


    reluctant. But his presence definitely makes my heart. feel more alive.¡±


    ¡°Wow. It looks like our Ms. Crown is quite resilient,¡± Lisa said jokingly.


    I didn¡¯t respond. Lisa fell silent for a few seconds before asking, ¡°That jerk Chris still hasn¡¯t


    contacted you? Not even a Whatsapp message?¡±


    I licked my lips and said, ¡°No¡­¡±


    Lisa snorted. ¡°He thinks you¡¯ll never leave him.¡±


    I knew that all too well. Looking at the moonlight outside, I murmured, ¡°This time, I¡¯ll show him.¡±


    I fell asleep while chatting with Lisa. When I woke up again, it was still dark, and the call had ended.


    Lisa left me a message, ¡°No one in this world is indispensable.*


    Yes. I could live without Chris. These past few days, I proved it. I ate well and slept well.


    I smiled faintly and was about to go back to sleep when my phone beeped with a.message. Who


    could be messaging me in the middle of the night?


    I opened my eyes and was stunned to see it was from Chris. ¡°Come back once. you¡¯re done


    causing trouble!¡±


    These words made me boil with anger.


    27


    After all this time, it was only now that he thought of me? And he still spoke as if I was causing


    trouble,pletely unaware of his own mistakes?


    I didn¡¯t reply and turned off my phone. But now I couldn¡¯t sleep. So, I got up,


    opened the door, and walked into the small courtyard. I headed toward the Honey Locust.


    Just then, I heard the sound of a door opening.


    I turned around to see Brandoning out, carrying a backpack and pulling a suitcase. He seemed


    surprised to see me at this hour. He paused for a moment, and then continued walking without


    saying a word.


    ¡°Where are you going?¡± I blurted out.


    ¡°Going out of town,¡± he replied without stopping and left the courtyard.


    I stood there in a daze for a moment before turning and heading toward his room. Surprisingly, the


    door wasn¡¯t locked.


    I pushed it open and turned on the light to see his room. It was both what I expected and not what I


    expected.


    It was what I expected because the bed was neatly made. Everything in the room was meticulously


    organized. It was different because many of the items in the room were at least ten years old.


    Thinking about what my dad had said, I couldn¡¯t help but feel that these items were the ones that


    my parents had left behind.


    When Kelly came looking for me, I was still in the room. She seemed to understand my thoughts


    and exined to me without asking.


    ¡°These were left by your parents. I had initially wanted to rece them with the new ones that are in


    the room you¡¯re staying in now. But Brandon insisted on keeping them, saying that they were fine to


    use.


    Touching these items made me feel a pang of sorrow in my heart. Because of these items, I wanted


    to stay here even more, even if Brandon was gone.


    But then I received a voice call from Kara. She sounded on the verge of tears. Ms. Crown, the lights


    at the amusement park have some major issues. Pleasee back soon. Text content ? N?velDrama.Org.

 Redmption 44

    Redmption 44


    Major? How major? I didn¡¯t panic and asked her directly, ¡°Calm down. What¡¯s going on?¡±


    Kara exined the issue. The lighting didn¡¯t match the design ns at all.


    With


    could either be a quality problem the manufacturer¡¯s lights or an


    instation issue.


    ¡°Since you know these two possible causes, just find the relevant people to solve it. Even if I go


    back, that¡¯s what I¡¯d do,¡± I said calmly.


    ¡°Ms. Crown, pleasee back. I really can¡¯t handle it alone.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what¡¯s gotten into Mr. Gildon. He¡¯s beening to the


    amusement park every day. And every time hees, there are tons of issues. I¡¯m about to lose


    my mind.¡± Kara sounded as if she was gonna cry.


    I thought about the message Chris sent me. What if he was deliberately creating problems to make


    things difficult for Kara? That way it would force


    me to return.


    After so many years, he knew me well enough. He knew that I was soft¨Chearted and disliked


    causing trouble for others.


    ¡°You should try handling it first.¡± I still didn¡¯t agree to go back.


    It wasn¡¯t that I was being heartless this time, letting Kara suffer. I wanted to train her. A person


    could only progress and improve by continuous learning and taking on responsibilities.


    I had ns to resign, giving her a chance for promotion. She needed to have the capability to


    handle it.


    ¡°Ms. Crown, I really can¡¯t handle it right now. The problem is huge. You know that the lighting is the


    soul of the amusement park.¡± Kara continued to persuade me.


    I pondered for a few seconds. ¡°Send me a report on the problem. Connect with me on¨Csite via video


    call. It would be best at night when all the lights are on. I¡¯ll assess the situation before deciding.¡±


    Kara sensed that I really didn¡¯t want to go back. She added, ¡°Ms. Crown, I know


    you don¡¯t want to face Mr. Gildon right now. If it weren¡¯t absolutely necessary, 1 wouldn¡¯t ask you to


    come back.¡±


    She paused before continuing, ¡°I support you.¡±


    Her words warmed my heart, though tinged with sadness.


    ¡°Follow my instructions first,¡± I said and hung up the phone. I then opened my email to check the


    amusement park¡¯s lighting design and effect diagrams.


    That evening, Kara¡¯s video call came in. ¡°Ms. Crown, I¡¯m at the site. All the lights are on. How do


    you want to check it?¡±


    I looked at the partial lighting visible in the video. ¡°Go to the highest point of the amusement park. I


    want to see the overall effects first. Then, take aerial shots of each amusement park area¡¯s lighting,


    especially the problematic spots.¡±


    ¡°Okay. Give me a second¡­¡± Kara said. The video began to shake as she ran, apanied by the


    sound of her panting.


    But after a few steps, she suddenly stopped. And I heard her exim, ¡°Mr. Gildon, why are you here


    too?¡±


    ¡°Why are you running?¡± Chris¡® familiar cold voice came through.


    My grip on my phone tightened, and my heart raced. Even though my heart had been shattered by


    her, a decade of affection couldn¡¯t be undone in a day.


    Even just Chris¡® voice had the power to move me.


    I wondered what Chris would say if Kara mentioned that she was talking to me. Would he take the


    phone and speak to me?


    N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.


    ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m finding a high spot to shoot a video,¡± Kara replied to Chirs.


    Chris didn¡¯t speak for a while, then he nodded and walked away.


    ¡°Ms. Crown, I didn¡¯t say it was you. I was afraid Mr. Gildon would want to talk to you. You probably


    don¡¯t want to speak to him, right?¡± Kara asked considerately.


    I sneered. ¡°You handled it very well.¡±


    She chuckled. ¡°I knew that¡¯s what you wanted. I¡¯d feel the same way.¡± Kara continued running and


    then got onto the Ferris wheel.

 Redmption 45

    Redmption 45


    That spot was indeed the highest point. Through the video, I could see the amusement park under


    the lights. Overall, it didn¡¯t look bad. But the base color of the lighting waspletely different from


    the design.


    The original design had a blue gradient base color. It was supposed to


    resemble an ocean transitioning from night to dawn.


    Now, it was all blue, without the gradient. And the blue was a deep and heavy shade. Though the


    color was rich, itcked soul.


    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    ¡°Ms. Crown, that¡¯s the overall view. I¡¯m not sure if it¡¯s the contractor¡¯s problem or the lighting


    manufacturer¡¯s issue.¡± Kara¡¯s voice came through.


    ¡°Have youmunicated with both parties? What did they say?¡± I asked.


    ¡°The contractor said they followed the requirements. And the manufacturer said the lights were


    made ording to our specifications. Neither admits there¡¯s an issue, so I don¡¯t know where the


    problem lies,¡± Kara said, feeling


    troubled.


    ¡°Ms. Crown, you need toe back. I really can¡¯t handle this. Plus, you¡¯ve put so much effort into


    this amusement park. You wouldn¡¯t want it to have such issues, right?¡± Kara started persuading me


    again.


    ¡°Alright. I¡¯lle back.¡± This time, I didn¡¯t say anything else.


    After hanging up the video call, I booked a flight. Soon after, I received the aerial details from Kara


    and realized the problem was quite significant.


    Early the next morning, I had already packed my luggage as I had a 9:00 am flight to catch.


    ¡®Maddie, you¡¯re up early today. Are you doing your yoga again?¡± Kelly asked as


    she saw me.


    I¡¯d been practicing yoga in the courtyard these past few days. Kelly always reminded me to be


    careful not to hurt my arms, legs, or back.


    ¡°No.¡±


    I walked up to her. ¡°Mrs


    Rhodes, I have to go back.¡±


    I


    Kelly was stunned. Then, she mumbled, ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you¡¯d stay for a few more days?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a project at mypany with some issues that I need to handle. After it¡¯s sorted out, I


    mighte back to see you,¡± I said, though I only mentioned it as a possibility.


    Even though I would leave Chris¡®pany, I still needed to continue working to support myself.


    ¡°Alright. Go on then. Everyone leaves, except for this olddy who can¡¯t go anywhere.¡± Her words


    tugged at my heartstrings.


    They also sparked a bold idea in me. ¡°Mrs. Rhodes, why don¡¯t youe with


    me?¡±


    ¡°Take me with you?¡± Kelly was surprised.


    ¡°Yes. I¡¯ll take you to see the bustling city. I smiled, feeling excited at the prospect. Over these few


    days, I hade to see her as my own grandmother.


    But Kelly shook her head. ¡°It¡¯s fine. At my age, my legs aren¡¯t nimble anymore. I¡¯d just be a burden


    to you.¡±


    ¡°No, don¡¯t say that, Mrs. Rhodes. Come on. It¡¯ll just be for a few days,¡± I clung to her arm and


    pleaded.


    She looked at me. ¡°Thank you for your kindness, sweetie. But I won¡¯t go


    anywhere. I¡¯ll just stay here. If you ever want toe back, you know where to find me.¡±


    Hearing her words, my nose tingled with emotion. I reached out and hugged her. ¡°I¡¯ll miss you, Mrs.


    Rhodes.¡±


    ¡°Why would you miss me? You should miss Brandon. He¡¯s such a good man. But you¡¯ve hurt him


    until he had to leave. Kelly¡¯s words instantly shattered my little moment of sentimentality.


    Brandon had left because I had rejected him and because I didn¡¯t like him?


    Before I could say anything, Kelly patted my hand. ¡°Maddie, Brandon really is a good man. I hope


    you¡¯ll think about it.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± I agreed.

 Redmption 46

    Redmption 46


    At the pool hall, Chris missed the shot as all the balls scattered across the


    table.


    Derick shook his hand while wiping his due. ¡°Has Madeline not replied to your message or


    contacted you?¡±


    Chris remained silent. Derick aimed at the most awkwardly positioned ball on the table. With a


    sharp sound, the ball traced a beautiful arc across the table. and dropped into a pocket.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t make sense. She didn¡¯t seem to care when you spoke to her like that and didn¡¯t argue


    with you. Why is she being so stubborn this time?¡± Derick was puzzled.


    Chris thought about the time Madeline hade to y pool. ¡°What did she ask you when she


    came the other day?¡±


    Derick sank another ball in with a casual shot. He gracefully sat on the pool table and lined up


    another shot, sinking the ball in perfectly again.


    ¡°I¡¯ve already told you. She asked if anything happened between you, Jewel, and Ian when you were


    in school. I told her truthfully that nothing had happened. So, her leaving has nothing to do with me,¡±


    Derick rified, clearing his name!


    ¡°I didn¡¯t say anything. Why are you feeling guilty?¡± Chris¡® tone was harsh.


    Derick looked at thest ball on the table. Instead of shooting, he stared at Chris. ¡°Do you really not


    know why she left? Why she wouldn¡¯t even get the marriage certificate with you?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. She¡¯s just throwing a tantrum. I¡¯ve spoiled her all these years.¡± Chris snapped.


    Because they couldn¡¯t get the certificate, his parents had been cold to him. People in thepany


    even had heard rumors that he was caught cheating by Madeline. People would say anything they


    wanted.


    ¡°You¡¯ve spoiled her?¡± Derickughed.


    ¡°To be honest, Chris, I never felt like you¡¯ve spoiled her. It¡¯s more like you¡¯re used to her trailing after


    you. You think that she can¡¯t live without you. That¡¯s


    Chant 46


    why you said you weren¡¯t interested in her and why you haven¡¯t looked for her since she left.¡±


    ¡°How am I supposed to find her? Should post a missing person notice all over the world?¡± Chris was


    still in that mindset.


    Derick shook his head and was too tired to argue further. He shot thest ball, pocketing it. A clean


    sweep, showcasing his skill as the pool hall¡¯s owner.


    Chris snorted, unwilling to admit defeat. ¡°Another round.¡±


    ¡°Chris¡­¡± Derick started as Chris lined up his next shot.


    ¡°Madeline loves you, but her love has dignity. If you didn¡¯t do something to deeply disappoint her,


    she wouldn¡¯t have just walked away.¡±


    ¡°What did I do?¡± Chris was irritated.


    ¡°That¡¯s for you to figure out.¡±


    Derick hinted, ¡°Some people part ways forever after a single encounter. When you have time, ask


    yourself if you truly love Madeline. Or were you just too familiar with her to feel anything,


    ¡°Even if you don¡¯t have romantic feelings for her, she¡¯s lived with your family for ten years. You must


    have some sibling affection for her. You should find her. If something really happens to her, you¡¯ll


    never be at peace.¡±


    Derick¡¯s words made Chris miss another shot. He threw the cue on the table, angrily walking out.


    ¡°By the way, I heard that the Howell family¡¯s lost son from 20 years ago has been found. He¡¯ll be


    coming back soon.¡± Derick mentioned as Chris was


    N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    leaving.


    Chris frowned slightly. Derick continued, ¡°I heard he¡¯s quite exceptional. If your want to coborate


    with the Howell family, you should hurry up to avoid anyplications.


    ¡°And about Madeline¡­ If you still care about her, stop being so proud and take the initiative.¡± Derick


    advised Chris who had already walked out the door.


    Seeing that Chris didn¡¯t respond, Derick snorted. ¡°You¡¯ll regret this someday.¡±

 Redmption 47

    Redmption 47


    I got off the ne and headed straight to the amusement park without event dropping off my


    luggage.


    Kara was there. The moment she saw me, she hugged me tightly. ¡°Ms. Crown, you¡¯re finally back.¡±


    I patted her shoulder. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s go check a few spots first.¡±


    I barely sleptst night, pondering over possible problem areas. Although I suspected the


    construction team and the lighting supplier, the chances of them making a mistake were slim.


    This was a major project. Any error on their part would cost them dearly, possibly bankrupting


    them.


    So, after much consideration, I concluded that the issue might lie elsewhere However, as a non¨C


    professional, I couldn¡¯t pinpoint the exact problem. I needed to see the site for myself.


    Turning the lights on and off, Ipared the design renderings. I worked non- stop until 2:00 am.


    ¡°Ms. Crown, you must¡¯ve stored up a lot of energy for the past week. You¡¯re exploding all of it now,¡±


    Kara joked, utterly exhausted.


    Had I been gone that long? I didn¡¯t even have time to ponder this. We headed back to thepany,


    working through the night topile a report on the issues we identified. We nned to construct


    the construction and lighting suppliers the next day and report to Chris.


    He was already aware of the problem and was furious. That was what Kara had informed me. She


    also mentioned that even if we resolved the issue, we¡¯d still face penalties.


    Chris might not care much about me personally. But he was always fair and strict in professional


    matters, so this didn¡¯t surprise me.


    ¡°Even if we face penalties, we must do our best.¡± I stated firmly, sticking to my principles.


    It wasn¡¯t until 6:00 am that Kara and I finished our work. She was so tired that


    Chap 47


    she fell asleep on her desk. My eyelids felt heavy too, but I surprisingly didn¡¯t feel sleepy.


    I freshened up in the restroom, made myself a cup of coffee, and continued. reviewing the problems


    I had found. If my judgment was correct, the issue. should be with the lighting adjustments.


    ¡°Ms. Crown, you¡¯re back?¡±


    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    ¡°You¡¯re back early, Ms. Crown!¡±


    As people started arriving at the office, they greeted me warmly. But I noticed their gazes were


    different.


    Kara told me that everyone knew about me and Chris¡® wedding troubles. They also knew I had lived


    with the Gildon family for years. So, even without a certificate, we were essentially a married


    couple.


    I never cared about others¡® opinions. Faced with their curious looks and the whispers behind my


    back, I pretended not to notice.


    Who didn¡¯t talk about others behind their backs? Who wasn¡¯t talked about


    behind theirs?


    Moreover, my separation from Chris was a fact. Their curiosity was understandable.


    Having not slept all night, I started feeling drowsy around ten. So, I went to the pantry to make


    another cup of coffee.


    As I stepped out with my coffee, I saw Chris approaching. His gaze on me was intense. I could


    sense theplex emotions in his eyes¨Cresentment, anger¡­


    ¡°Good morning, Mr. Gildon.¡± I greeted him as usual, then tried to walk past him with my coffee.


    ¡°Come to my office.¡± His voice was so stern that my hand trembled, almost spilling my coffee.


    I took a deep breath. ¡°Alright.

 Redmption 48

    Redmption 48


    1/2


    Chris sat in his chair. He was dressed in a ck suit with a white shirt and tie dotted with stars. It


    was the tie I had given him for his birthdayst year.


    He had never worn it before. I guessed he didn¡¯t like it. But now, after our separation, he was


    wearing it.


    His face was dark, and his eyes bore into me with a fierce intensity. I knew why. he was angry, but I


    calmly asked, ¡°What do you need, Mr. Gildon?¡±


    ¡°Where have you been these past few days?¡± His voice was icy.


    ¡°On annual leave,¡± I replied, not directly answering his question.


    His fingers curled slightly on the desk. ¡°I asked where you went.¡±


    ¡°Amaty,¡± I answered honestly, having no reason to hide it.


    His frown deepened, and a look of confusion shed in his eyes. He probably didn¡¯t know where


    Amaty was. It was a small and obscure county. How would he know?


    9


    But if he truly cared about me, he would know. I had mentioned that it was where I was born and


    that it was the ce my parents had most wanted to take me to. He had heard it before, but he


    didn¡¯t remember because he never really cared.


    ¡°You went to such a ce?¡± His question made me want tough..


    I smiled and nodded slightly. ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Then, why did you turn off your phone? Why didn¡¯t you respond to messages?¡± His tone was


    usatory.


    I pressed my lips together. ¡°That¡¯s my prerogative, isn¡¯t it, Mr. Gildon?¡±


    His face darkened even more. ¡°Yes, it¡¯s your prerogative. Thepany policy states that


    employees must not let personal matters interfere with work.¡±


    ¡°Did I let my personal matters interfere with work?¡± I asked coolly.


    His Adam¡¯s apple bobbed. For some reason, I suddenly thought of Brandon and how his jaw had


    brushed against my nose and how his Adam¡¯s apple had


    272


    moved when he had swallowed. Brandon¡¯s Adam¡¯s apple was bigger and more masculine than


    Chris¡®.


    ¡°The amusement park issue¡­ Do you dare to say that your personal matters didn¡¯t interfere with


    work?¡± Chris pointed at me.


    ¡°It didn¡¯t,¡± I tly denied. ¡°Whether I was on leave or not, the lighting issue would still exist. Besides,


    when I found out about it, I cut my leave short and returned immediately.¡±


    My leave was supposed to be ten days, but I had only taken a week.


    Chris fell silent for a moment, then nodded angrily. ¡°But this is your project.. Any problems are your


    responsibility.¡±


    ¡°I know, I¡¯m actively working to fix it and will not let it affect the project¡¯spletion,¡± I promised.


    He knew my capability and determination. He nodded. ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll give you time. But if it dys the


    project, don¡¯t me me¡­¡±


    He didn¡¯t finish, but I understood his meaning. I finished for him. ¡°If the project is dyed, I will bear


    the consequences.


    ¡°Can you afford it?¡± he suddenly shouted.


    ¡°My fingers curled slightly. ¡°I know I can¡¯t, so I won¡¯t let it dy.¡±


    Our back¨Cand¨Cforth should have reassured him, but I saw his anger grow. Chris didn¡¯t speak for a


    moment. He just stared at me.


    ¡°Is there anything else, Mr. Gildon? If not, I¡¯ll get back to work,¡± I said, turning to leave.


    N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    ¡°Stop!¡± hemanded.


    ¡°What other instructions do you have, Mr. Gildon?¡± I asked formally.

 Redmption 49

    Redmption 49


    Chris tugged at his tie. ¡°Madeline, what exactly are you trying to do? Why did you suddenly refuse


    to get the certificate and then disappear?¡±


    We had finished talking about work, and now the conversation had turned to personal matters. This


    was what he really wanted to discuss.


    ¡°I¡¯m not ying games,¡± I stated firmly.


    ¡°Not ying games? Do you know the chaos you¡¯ve caused at home? My mother was so angry that


    she ended up in the hospital,¡± Chris said angrily.


    Hearing that Bree had been hospitalized made me feel guilty. But one thing didn¡¯t change the other.


    My guild toward Chris¡® parents could not erase the hurt Chris had caused me.


    I will exin and apologize to Bree.¡±


    ¡°Madeline, that¡¯s not the point. I¡¯m asking why won¡¯t you get the marriage certificate?¡± Chris tugged


    at his cor again.


    This man made a mistake, yet he still thought I was the one who had wronged him. Since that was


    the case, I didn¡¯t mind making it clear who was at fault.


    I lowered my gaze to his wristwatch. ¡°I went to Dazzle Residence¡­¡±


    As soon as I said this, heard the clear sound of the chair scraping against the


    floor.


    Chris¡® body stiffened in the chair, and his expression changed rapidly. ¡°I can exin¡­¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing to exin, Chris. No matter what you say, the fact remains that Jewel is living


    there. And¡­¡± I paused, then said, ¡°When I went with her to buy bedding, she picked the ones you


    like.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not what you think¡­¡± Chris stood up from his chair and walked toward me.


    I took a step back, maintaining my distance from him. ¡°Chris, I¡¯m not someone who likes to


    overthink or guess. But I have eyes, and I can see. I also have a heart, and I can feel.¡±


    ¡°Maddie¡­¡±


    23


    Chris shook his head slightly. ¡°That house was prepared for you. It was decorated ording to your


    preferences. I wanted to give it to you.¡±


    ¡°But you gave it to someone else.¡± I murmured.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t give it to her. I just let her stay temporarily. You know she has nowhere to go because of


    lan¡¯s death and her inws¡® disdain. So I let her stay there temporarily,¡± Chris exined quickly.


    I smiled faintly. ¡°You nned to let her leave and then give it to me, right?¡±


    Chris¡® mouth moved, but he said nothing. I knew the answer.


    A sharp pain pierced my heart as I dug my nails into my palm. ¡°Chris, do I only deserve to live in a


    ce someone else has stayed in?¡±


    ¡°No, Madeline. I can buy you a new one.¡± Chris¡® tone softened.


    Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    Iughed. ¡°So you can keep one woman and hide the other.¡±


    ¡°Madeline!¡± Chris eximed. He was once again enraged by my words.


    I remained calm as I looked at him.


    Finally, he nodded. ¡°Do you have to be so petty? Weren¡¯t you always kind and generous? Why can¡¯t


    you tolerate Jewel? She¡¯e very pitiful. She¡¯s now pregnant and doesn¡¯t have a husband.¡±


    ¡°Yes. She¡¯s very pitiful I know that. So, I¡¯m generously giving you to her. You can take care of her,


    marry her, and be the father of her child.¡± I smiled.


    Just then, Chris grabbed my arm. ¡°Madeline, what nonsense are you spouting? What do you take


    me for?¡±


    ¡°Chris, you¡¯re the one who wants me to be generous.


    ¡°And your generosity is refusing to get married and breaking up with me?¡± Chris asked coldly.


    I looked at the face I had admired for ten years. ¡°Otherwise, should I share you. with Jewel?¡±


    ¡°Why do you always have to be so unpleasant?¡± Chris¡® grip on my arm tightened. It hurt, but the


    pain also made me more awake.


    ¡°Chris, if it were me taking care of another man, would you ept it?¡± As I


    asked this, Brandon¡¯s face inexplicably shed before my eyes.

 Redmption 50

    Redmption 50


    Chris remained silent, then mockingly nodded after a long pause. ¡°If you want. to be unreasonable,


    so be it.¡±


    Even now, he didn¡¯t think he was wrong. He still believed it was my fault. I


    didn¡¯t even want to argue with him anymore. I just said, ¡°I¡¯ll move out of your house.¡±


    ¡°My house?¡± Chris¡® eyes narrowed. ¡°Madeline, you¡¯ve really never considered that ce your home,


    have you? It¡¯s a shame that my parents cared so much. for you.¡±


    I pressed my lips together. Didn¡¯t he realize that I didn¡¯t want his parents¡®


    affection but his? I had already decided to separate from him. So, there was no point in saying


    anything more.


    ¡°Mr. Gildon, I¡¯ll get back to work,¡± I said. I didn¡¯t mention quitting because I wanted to finish this


    project.


    ¡°Madeline, do you really want to break up with me?¡± Chris asked again. It seemed that he hadn¡¯t


    heard me clearly before. I looked at him¨Cthe face I admired for ten years.


    Then, I left him with a final, irrevocable statement. ¡°Yes, Chris. I want to break up with you. From


    now on, you are you, and I am me. We will marry other people and have nothing to do with each


    other.¡±


    Chris let out a broken and coldugh. ¡°Fine, Madeline. You said it. Don¡¯t regret it.¡±


    Regret? This was the second time he mentioned it. I didn¡¯t know how he could


    say


    these words so confidently.


    Maybe it was because of my ten years of infatuation. I followed him like a little fool, staying with him


    despite his repeated coldness and hurt.


    ¡°Goodbye,¡± I said and turned away.


    Chris didn¡¯t stop me. Just as I reached the door, I heard a knock. I opened the door and froze.


    It was Jewel.


    Changer 50


    She looked at me with a flicker of panic in her eyes. But she forced a smile as if we were very close.


    ¡°Madeline, you¡¯re back?¡±


    I didn¡¯t say anything. My eyes fell on the document in her hand.


    The red header of Gildon Corporation made me pause. This was an internalpany document. It


    was something only employees would have ess to, yet Jewel had it.


    I was already surprised to see her here, even more so with apany document in her hand.


    I didn¡¯t respond to her. Jewel¡¯s face showed a hint of embarrassment. ¡°I¡¯m here to deliver


    documents to Mr. Gildon.¡±


    This ¡°Mr. Gildon¡± rified everything for me. Chris not only kept her hidden, but he also brought her


    into thepany.


    Kara hadn¡¯t mentioned this to me. She was probably too busy. Or maybe she deliberately didn¡¯t tell


    me to avoid upsetting me.


    But now it didn¡¯t matter. Whether Chris let Kara into thepany or married her, it had nothing to


    do with me anymore.


    ¡°Please move aside. I need to leave,¡± I said.


    It wasn¡¯t that I was being inconsiderate to a pregnant woman. But even when riding in a car, it was


    a standard etiquette to let people out before getting in.


    Jewel stepped aside, and I walked out quickly.


    As the door closed behind me, I heard Chris questioning, ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me Madeline went to


    Dazzle Residence?¡±


    I didn¡¯t want to hear Jewel¡¯s exnation because it was no longer my concern.


    When I returned to the office, Kara immediately came over. ¡°Ms. Crown, you went to Mr. Gildon¡¯s


    office, right? What did you talk about? Did you guys make up?¡±


    N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    ¡°What do you think? I looked at her.


    Under my gaze, Kara nervously grabbed my arm. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Ms. Crown. I didn¡¯t mean to hide it


    from you. I was afraid you¡¯d be upset¡­¡±


    Chap 50


    ¡°You were afraid It would affect work, and you¡¯d get scolded, right?¡± I voiced


    her thoughts.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Ms. Crown¡­¡±

 Redmption 51

    Redmption 51


    ¡°It¡¯s not your fault. Self¨Cpreservation is human nature,¡± I said sincerely. I truly


    I didn¡¯t me Kara. After all, even among sisters, one would prioritize herself before helping the


    other.


    ¡°Ms. Crown¡­¡± Kara shook my arm, wanting to say more.


    But I interrupted her, ¡°Mr. Gildon said that if we don¡¯t resolve the lighting issue, we¡¯ll be held


    responsible. We don¡¯t have time to think about anything else. We need to focus on solving the


    lighting problem.¡±


    Kara¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°But it¡¯s not our fault. It¡¯s like we¡¯re being med for something we didn¡¯t do.¡±


    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    ¡°We are responsible for this project. If there¡¯s a problem, we are the first ones ountable. No


    excuses. If we don¡¯t want to face the consequences, we have to fix the problem,¡± I said sternly.


    0


    Kara didn¡¯t argue any further. She nodded and turned away. I heard her mutter,¡± Using public power


    for personal revenge¡­¡±


    I understood what she meant. She thought Chris was venting his frustration with me through this


    situation.


    I sighed. Didn¡¯t I know that too? But the more he tried to me me, the more determined I was to


    resolve this issue wlessly. That would leave him. speechless.


    Moreover, this amusement park was my way of fulfilling my dad¡¯s dream. I couldn¡¯t allow any ws.


    My dad was a perfectionist. I wanted to show him that his daughter was just as excellent and


    perfect.


    Kara soon came back with the contact information for the lighting


    manufacturer and the construction tem. made the calls and decided to invite both parties to the site


    to discuss the problem and find a solution.


    They agreed. But the earliest they coulde was the day after tomorrow. So, there was no point


    in stressing for the next two days.


    Considering that Kara had barely sleptst night, I gave her the day off to rest. I also decided to visit


    Gildon estate. I had cleared things up with Chris, but I still


    needed to settle things with the Gildons.


    Just as I was packing up to leave, Jewel came to find me. ¡°Madeline, can we


    talk?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think we have anything to discuss¡± I replied. I had just checked the personnel records and


    knew that Jewel joined thepany three days ago. She was in the administration department.


    I was in the project department and had no direct contact with her department. So, her visit couldn¡¯t


    be work¨Crted.


    ¡°What do you want to talk about, Ms. Massey?¡± I asked formally.


    Jewel had not only joined the administration department but also became a supervisor. Chris¡®


    actions were no different from an ancient emperor


    bewitched by beauty.


    Her being parachuted into the role was one thing. But making her a supervisor


    was sure to spark gossip among employees.


    And he did it without any regard for my feelings. After all, I was his fianc¨¦e¨Cto- be. Jewel had just


    been involved in a scandal with him.


    ¡°It¡¯s a personal matter,¡± Jewel said. Her face was full of embarrassment.


    I nced at the time. ¡°I¡¯m sorry but it¡¯s work hours now.¡±


    Jewel looked embarrassed. She pressed her lips together. ¡°Then, how about.


    after work?¡±


    I pointed to my bag. ¡°I¡¯m leaving now, and I have other things to do after work.¡±


    Jewel¡¯s face turned even more awkward. She looked around. Since there was no one else there,


    she said, ¡°I know you¡¯re upset with Chris because I¡¯m living in that house. I can move out.¡±


    I smiled. ¡°Jewel, stop pretending. If you wanted to move out, you wouldn¡¯t have. moved in in the first


    ce. And besides¡­


    I paused, staring at her intensely. ¡°You know the reason Chris and I are at this point is because of


    you. Yet, you stille to work under my nose. What are you trying to do? Do you take me for a


    fool?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just trying to make a living,¡± Jewel argued weakly.


    Chapter T


    Looking at her hypocritical face, I didn¡¯t hold back. ¡°Is Chris¡® any the only


    ce in the world that can support you? Or can you simply not live without him?¡±


    ¡°Madeline, how can you say that?¡± Jewel raised her hand.


    I took a step back to maintain some distance between us. ¡°Jewel, thepany is full of surveince


    cameras. Don¡¯t try to do anything funny. It¡¯ll only backfire


    on you.¡±


    Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out!

 Redmption 52

    Redmption 52


    Jewel¡¯s petty tricks were ruthlessly exposed by me. Her face turned extremely ugly. But she still


    tried to maintain her superior demeanor. ¡°Are you convinced that Chris and I have something going


    on?¡±


    I


    Did it need anyone else¡¯s confirmation? Didn¡¯t she know what she¡¯d done?


    However, my good upbringing prevented me from saying anything too harsh. Jewel¡¯s eyes


    reddened. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect people to have such filthy and sordid. thoughts these days.¡±


    Look at how noble she was trying to make herself seem.


    ¡°Madeline, Chris is a good man. If you can¡¯t even trust him, you don¡¯t even deserve him.¡± Jewel¡¯s


    words made her intentions clear. She was trying to assert that I didn¡¯t deserve Chris.


    So, she had more to say.


    I remained silent and just watched her performance.


    Sure enough, she wiped away her tears and asked, ¡°Madeline, are you really not going to cherish


    Chris anymore?¡±


    N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    This woman was setting a trap for me. Did she think I was that naive?


    I sneered. ¡°If I say I¡¯m giving him up, will you say that you happen to want him?¡±


    Jewel¡¯s expression stiffened slightly. Her lips pressed tightly together, perfectly portraying fragility


    and beauty.


    But I wasn¡¯t a man. Otherwise, I might have found her delicate demeanor quite touching.


    ¡°Chris deserves to be cherished.¡± Jewel finally revealed her true intentions.


    I lowered my gaze. I looked at her still t belly and then at her t shoes. ¡°It seems you really want


    to cherish him. But do you think you deserve him?¡±


    Jewel¡¯s face turned ugly, and her hands clenched the hem of her shirt tightly.


    *Jewel, let me remind you. Even if Chris and I don¡¯t end up together, it¡¯s not easy for you to enter


    the Gildon family. You should know why.¡± I wasn¡¯t trying


    Chaut¨® 52


    to strike her down but rather wake her up to reality.


    Bree and Zack probably would ept that Chris wouldn¡¯t marry me. But they wouldn¡¯t allow a


    woman pregnant with another man¡¯s child into the Gildon family. Unless, of course, the child in her


    belly was Chris¡®.


    Jewel¡¯s ns fell apart with my words. Seeing her silence, I shouldered my bag and left.


    I didn¡¯t go back to Gildon estate first but went to Lisa¡¯s ce.


    Since getting off the ne, I hadn¡¯t even changed my clothes. I didn¡¯t want to appear in a


    disheveled state and make Chris¡® parents think I had been living miserably. That would only make it


    harder for me to leave the Gildons.


    Lisa, who worked night shifts, was sleeping. She was surprised to see me. Why are you back so


    suddenly? You didn¡¯t even say a word.¡±


    I knew she was busy because it was a peak period for childbirth.


    With advanced technology, people now nned their childbirths. It was said that having a baby in


    spring or summer, when everything was thriving, resulted in smart and beautiful children.


    ¡°I arrived yesterday. I had to handle some issues at the amusement park. So, ! didn¡¯t tell you,¡± I


    exined while taking off my shoes and walking barefoot into Lisa¡¯s living room.


    ¡°Workaholic,¡± Lisa, who was also a workaholic, teased me.


    I sat on the couch and picked up a fresh orange from the table. I peeled it, gave half to Lisa, and put


    the other half into my mouth.


    Staying upte wasn¡¯t unusual for me. But it always left me feeling parched, no matter how much


    water I drank.


    ¡°Did youe back alone?¡± Lisa¡¯s question seemed to hint something.


    I smiled. ¡°Of course.¡±


    ¡°What about your romantic encounter?¡± Lisa handed me a ss of water.

 Redmption 53

    Redmption 53


    I drank more than half a ss. ¡°He left early.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Lisa sat cross¨Clegged across from me, looking curious.


    ¡°I rejected him, so he left. Apparently, he went to work. That¡¯s all.¡± My words. made Lisa pause.


    ¡°He left? Didn¡¯t he try a bit harder?¡± Lisa shook her head.


    ¡°This guy¡¯s determination isn¡¯t strong enough,¡± shemented.


    N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.


    ¡°He knows when to advance and retreat. He¡¯s not the clingy type,¡± I said, recalling Brandon¡¯s rough


    and tough demeanor.


    Lisa tilted her head. ¡°If he had tried harder to pursue you, would you have¡­¡±


    ¡°No.¡± I interrupted Lisa.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t use one person to heal the wounds inflicted by another.¡±


    ¡°As expected, no one can easily rece Chris.¡± Lisa concluded.


    I smiled faintly. ¡°Chris agreed to break up with me.¡±


    Lisa was stunned.


    I put down the ss and said, ¡°I¡¯m here to take a shower, change clothes, and then go to the Gildon


    estate. I need to exin things to Chris¡® parents. Then, we¡¯re done for good¡­¡±


    As I said this, I lowered my head. It wasn¡¯t reluctance or relief. It was an


    indescribable mix of emotions.


    un


    Ten years. What I was giving up wasn¡¯t just my love for Chris. But also my ten years of youth, all my


    hopes, and all my dreams for love.


    Lisa seemed to sense my mood. She stretched her legs to nudge my foot. Break up and move on.


    Out with the old, in with the new.¡±


    Iughed. ¡°Yes. Out with the old, in with the new.¡±


    With that, I stood up. ¡°I¡¯m going to take a shower.¡±


    I turned on the shower. Water sprayed down, and I closed my eyes. The water flowed down my


    hair, past my forehead, and down my cheeks.


    When I arrived at the Gildon estate, it was just after lunch. Bree was tending to the flowers. When


    she saw me, she immediately put down her shears.


    ¡°Maddie, you¡¯re back! I¡¯ve missed you so much. You naughty girl. How could you turn off your


    phone? You worried me to death.¡± Bree took my hand, looking both angry and happy.


    ¡°Bree, I¡¯m sorry for worrying you. I heard you were ill,¡± I apologized.


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing. It¡¯s not your fault,¡± Bree said. She pulled me to sit on the couch and urged me to eat


    the fruit on the table.


    I picked a grape and put it in my mouth. ¡°Bree, are you feeling better now?¡±


    ¡°Much better. Seeing you makes everything okay,¡± Bree said. She held my hand with a smile,


    making it hard for me to say what I needed to.


    But I knew it had to be said sooner orter. ¡°Where¡¯s Zack? Is he not home?¡±


    ¡°He is. He¡¯s in the study,¡± Bree replied.


    She then called out, ¡°Zack,e out. Maddie is back.¡± Each word from Bree increased the


    pressure on me. I had a feeling she knew why I was back and was trying to make it harder for me.


    Zack came out of the study, wearing reading sses. Seeing me, he took them off and said, ¡°Have


    you eaten? If not, Mom can cook for you. We always have your favorite food ready.¡±


    Before I left, Zack had me call Bree ¡°mom¡°. Now, knowing I wouldn¡¯t marry Chris, he still said this.


    He was clearly trying to pressure me.


    Bree yed along. She was about to get up, but I stopped her. Although I knew. what I was about


    to say would make them sad, it had to be faced eventually. The longer it dragged on, the more


    uneasy everyone would be.


    I took a deep breath and spoke as Zack sat down. ¡°Bree, Zack, I¡¯m here today to


    talk about me and Chris¡® situation.¡±

 Redmption 54

    Redmption 54


    Bree and Zack paused noticeably at my words. They weren¡¯t surprised but were clearly tense.


    ¡°Maddie, we already know. It¡¯s not your fault. It¡¯s that rascal Chris¡® fault. I scolded him. I¡¯ll make him


    come back and apologize to you¡­¡± Before I could say anything, Bree started ming Chris


    She was trying to prevent me from saying the words they didn¡¯t want to hear.


    Zack was more rational and interrupted her, ¡°Let Maddie speak.¡±


    Bree gripped my hand tighter, looking at me with eyes full of pleading. I lowered my gaze slightly,


    trying not to let myself be swayed. ¡°Bree, Zack, I¡¯ve broken up with Chris.¡±


    The room fell into a deep silence. Bree held my hand even tighter.


    ¡°Why?¡± Zack¡¯s voice was firm and strong. I knew I had to give them a reason. that would make it


    difficult for them to stop me. Otherwise, this would drag on endlessly,


    So, instead of saying Chris and I weren¡¯t suitable, I decided to tell the truth. Because of Jewel. His


    care for her has surpassed that for me, his fianc¨¦e.¡±


    Bree pulled my hand closer to her. ¡°What did he do with that woman again? Maddie, tell me. I¡¯ll go


    deal with that woman. Why does she keep clinging to my


    son?¡±


    Zack¡¯s face was extremely dark. ¡°Maddie, we aren¡¯t fully aware of his affairs. outside. Tell us, and


    we¡¯ll stand up for you.¡±


    Really unaware? They had heard about the rumors, yet they didn¡¯t inquire or ask? From what I


    know about Zack, that was impossible.


    Chris might be running Gildon Corporation now, but it was apany Zack had founded. Zack was


    still the chairman even if most of the authority had been passed on to Chris.


    Chris still consulted Zack on many matters. Zack was the true master. He appeared to ignore


    everything, but he was actually in control because he understood everything.


    Chris having a scandal with a window was widely talked about in thepany. It was something


    Zack couldn¡¯t be unaware of. Now, he was just pretending to be clueless, waiting for me to speak


    up.


    Since that was the case, I decided to say it outright, ¡°He gave Jewel his


    secondary card to use. He let her move into the house meant for me and event bought the bed linen


    she likes. Most importantly, he¡¯s been secretly


    apanying her for prenatal check¨Cups.¡±


    The prenatal check¨Cup part was what Lisa had told me. Chris was smart. He hadn¡¯t set up Jewel¡¯s


    prenatal check¨Cup file in Lisa¡¯s hospital but in a high¨Cend private hospital in Hilcord.


    However, he didn¡¯t know that Lisa was a special consultant there. On the day that Chris and I were


    supposed to register for our marriage, he had lied about the auspicious time calcted by the


    fortune¨Cteller to dy it as he needed to apany Jewel for her check¨Cup then.


    Lisa had happened to be performing a surgery at the other hospital that day and she had seen


    everything. She didn¡¯t tell me immediately because she thought that we¡¯d already registered for our


    marriage, and she didn¡¯t want to upset me.


    But after she heard that we hadn¡¯t registered, she still didn¡¯t say anything to avoid rubbing salt into


    my wounds.


    It wasn¡¯t until today that she had finally told me everything. When she knew. ne to give me one


    more that I was going to meet Chris¡® parents, she had told reason to condemn Chris.


    ¡°He did that? That bastard!¡± Zack eximed and mmed his palm on this


    table in anger.


    N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.


    It was frightening. He was usually gentle and rarely got angry. Even though his anger wasn¡¯t


    directed at me, it still startled me.

 Redmption 55

    Redmption 55


    Bree¡¯s hand trembled as she held mine. She then scolded, ¡°That bastard! I¡¯ll call him right now and


    ask what exactly he¡¯s trying to do. Didn¡¯t he say there was nothing between him and that Massey


    woman?¡±


    She finally let go of my hand and reached for her phone. I moved my hand, which had gone numb


    from her grip. I then said, ¡°Bree, I¡¯ve already talked to him at thepany. He¡¯s agreed to break up.


    And¡­¡±


    I paused and then continued, ¡°He¡¯s also epted Jewel to work at thepany.¡± No matter how I


    said it, today¡¯s words sounded likeints. Since it was like that, I decided to be forthright and


    tell them everything Christ


    had done.


    ¡°What?¡± Bree and Zack were stunned.


    Zack¡¯s face darkened, and Bree questioned him, ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you had control over everything at


    thepany? How did you not know about this?¡±


    It was just as I had thought. Zack sat at home, fully aware of thepany¡¯s affairs. But theings


    and goings of an individual at thepany weren¡¯t something that he, as the chairman, would


    monitor closely.


    Zack didn¡¯t respond. His eyes showed evident anger. Seeing this, Bree said, Call Chris back and


    ask him what¡¯s going on.¡±


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    I stopped them. Chrising back would only make things messier.


    ¡°Bree, Zack, if you find this uneptable, imagine how I feel. He had a scandal with Jewel and yet,


    he brought her to thepany. He didn¡¯t care about me as


    his fianc¨¦e.


    ¡°Maddie, we¡¯ll make him get rid of that woman.¡± Bree grabbed my hand again.


    ¡°Bree, he blocked all contact with Jewel in front of me. It was the day before. we were supposed to


    register for our marriage. But that didn¡¯t stop him from apanying her to a prenatal check¨Cup


    the next day.


    ¡°So, getting rid of Jewel doesn¡¯t solve the problem¡­¡± I said, pressing my lips together.


    ¡°The real issue is that Chris cares about her. For her, he can lie and disregard


    Bree¡¯s hand trembled as she held mine. She then scolded, ¡°That bastard! I¡¯ll call him right now and


    ask what exactly he¡¯s trying to do. Didn¡¯t he say there. was nothing between him and that Massey


    woman?¡±


    She finally let go of my hand and reached for her phone. I moved my hand, which had gone numb


    from her grip. I then said, ¡°Bree, I¡¯ve already talked to him at thepany. He¡¯s agreed to break up.


    And¡­¡±


    I paused and then continued, ¡°He¡¯s also epted Jewel to work at thepany.¡± No matter how I


    said it, today¡¯s words sounded likeints. Since it was like that, I decided to be forthright and


    tell them everything Chris. had done.


    ¡°What?¡± Bree and Zack were stunned.


    Zack¡¯s face darkened, and Bree questioned him, ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you had control over everything at


    thepany? How did you not know about this?¡±


    It was just as I had thought. Zack sat at home, fully aware of thepany¡¯s affairs. But theings


    and goings of an individual at thepany weren¡¯t something that he, as the chairman, would


    monitor closely.


    Zack didn¡¯t respond. His eyes showed evident anger. Seeing this, Bree said, Call Chris back and


    ask him what¡¯s going on.¡±


    I stopped them. Chrising back would only make things messier.


    ¡°Bree, Zack, if you find this uneptable, imagine how I feel. He had a scandal with Jewel and yet,


    he brought her to thepany. He didn¡¯t care about me as his fianc¨¦e.¡±


    ¡°Maddie, we¡¯ll make him get rid of that woman.¡± Bree grabbed my hand again.


    ¡°Bree, he blocked all contact with Jewel in front of me. It was the day before we were supposed to


    register for our marriage. But that didn¡¯t stop him from apanying her to a prenatal check¨Cup


    the next day.


    ¡°So, getting rid of Jewel doesn¡¯t solve the problem¡­¡± I said, pressing my lips together.


    ¡°The real issue is that Chris cares about her. For her, he can lie and disregard


    everything.¡± As I said this, my heart ached, and I felt humiliated. Despite being with Chris for so


    long, I couldn¡¯tpete with a widow¡¯s allure.


    Ultimately, I had failed.


    My words left Bree and Zack speechless. I continued to speak my mind. ¡°Zack, Bree, things


    between Chris and me havee to this. Even if you force him to be with me, his heart isn¡¯t here.


    A loveless marriage would only bring me pain. If you truly care for me, you wouldn¡¯t want me to


    suffer in such a rtionship, right?¡±


    ¡°Maddie¡­¡± Bree¡¯s eyes welled up.


    ¡°Maybe Chris¡­ is just confused. Can¡¯t you give him another chance. Wait a little longer, and let him


    reflect on his actions?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the use of waiting?¡± Zack¡¯s voice turned stern.


    ¡°It¡¯s his fault for failing Maddie. Why should she wait for him?¡± Zack¡¯s words genuinely felt like he


    was treating me as his daughter. I felt touched.


    ¡°Maddie, if Chris doesn¡¯t appreciate you, don¡¯t give him another chance. You deserve to find


    someone better. If you don¡¯t have anyone suitable, I can introduce you to some fine young men.


    Zack¡¯s words became more protective -like a real father standing up for his daughter.


    However, Bree got anxious and red at him. ¡°What are you talking about? Only Maddie can be


    my daughter¨Cinw. I won¡¯t let her marry anyone else.¡±


    What started as a sorrowful conversation turned into a lively one due to their banter.


    ¡°Are you nning on having another son? Zack humorously added.


    Before Bree could respond, a familiar voice came from the door. ¡°I think that¡¯s a good idea.¡±


    I looked up and saw Conrad standing in the doorway backlit. He was dressed in casual clothing and


    pulled a suitcase.


    His eyes were fixed on me, sprinkling with bright light.

 Redmption 56

    Redmption 56


    Conrad had returned. I waspletely taken aback, just like when he had remembered my dad¡¯s


    old phone number


    Bree and Zack were equally surprised. They stared at Conrad for a long time without saying a


    word.


    Conrad had been away for four years and hadn¡¯t returned even once during that time. His sudden


    return was both a surprise and a delight for them.


    what¡¯s the matter? Are you not happy to see me?¡± Conrad walked over, smiling


    as he asked.


    Conrad¡¯s personality was always warm andforting. He truly embodied the role of an older


    brother. During the years I spent at Gildon estate before he left, he made me feel most at home.


    However, he was the type to show his care through actions rather than words. It was different from


    Chris, whose kindness was obvious to everyone.


    ¡°Conrad,¡± I called out to him.


    At this moment, Bree and Zack also came to their senses. Bree let go of my hand and walked over


    to Conrad, lightly hitting him twice. ¡°So you do remember you have parents and need toe


    back.¡±


    Zack chimed in as well. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you give us a heads¨Cup?¡±


    Conrad nced at me and smiled faintly. ¡°I wanted to surprise you.¡±


    Tears welled up in Bree¡¯s eyes as Conrad reached out to hug her. ¡°Mom.¡±


    That one word made Bree hit him a couple more times before she hugged him. tightly, muttering,


    ¡°You haven¡¯te back for so long. Your father and I thought we had wronged you. We thought you


    were holding a grudge.¡±


    ¡°What are you talking about, Mom? I was just too busy abroad,¡± Conrad said, but his eyes were on


    me as he spoke.


    His gaze was direct and intense, and my heart skipped a beat. Could it be that he came back


    because of me?


    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    Conrad¡¯s arrival put an end to the discussion about me and Chris. However,


    Chapterse


    since everything had been said, Zack seemed to have epted it. Bree was still struggling. But


    with Conrad and Zack¡¯s persuasion, she¡¯de around eventually.


    Conrad said he hadn¡¯t eaten and wanted to have his parents¡® cooking again. Bree and Zack


    immediately went to the kitchen to prepare food. They asked me to join them for food as well.


    Conrad and I were left alone in the living room. There was an awkward silence since everything had


    already been said over the phone.


    Conrad broke the silence first. ¡°I thought you wouldn¡¯te here anymore.¡±


    ¡°What are you talking about? This is my home. I cane here whenever I want,¡± I said. But then I


    remembered I had another task¨Cto pack my belongings.


    Seeing the busy figures in the kitchen, I knew this was a good time to pack my things and put them


    in the car. This way, when I left, Bree and Zack wouldn¡¯t see my luggage and feel sad or try to hold


    me back.


    ¡°I¡¯ll help you take your luggage upstairs,¡± said, getting up to grab his suitcase.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡± Conrad declined and reached out at the same time. Our hands touched, and I quickly


    pulled back, my nerves tingling.


    Conrad¡¯s fingers twitched. ¡°I never let you carry luggage, and I won¡¯t start now. Indeed, when we


    were together, he wouldn¡¯t let me carry even a piece of paper.


    Other than falling in love with Chris, there wasn¡¯t a person or thing in this house that made me feel


    wronged.


    ¡°You¡¯re always so good to me¡­¡± I smiled at him as innocently as I did years ago.


    ¡°I thought you might have forgotten,¡± he repeated.


    I didn¡¯t know how to respond, so I reached out. ¡°Let me carry your bag.¡± This time, he didn¡¯t refus¨¦. I


    took his bag, and we went upstairs together.


    His room was next to mine and Chris¡®. But his was the innermost one, mine was in the middle, and


    Chris¡® was on the outer side.


    Because of the renovation, Chris¡® room was open, still showing signs of being unfinished.

 Redmption 57

    Redmption 57


    Conrad paused and stared at me suspiciously.


    I smiled tartly. ¡°Olivia fixed it.¡±


    I then passed his bag to him. ¡°Go tidy up and rest. I¡¯m going to pack some things.¡±


    He nodded in reply, and I returned to my room.


    There were still Chris¡® and my things in the room. Clearly, no one had stayed. there after I left.


    It seemed like Chris hadn¡¯t stopped by either. Where had he been staying these. past few days?


    Was he at Dazzle Residences, also known as Jewel¡¯s neighborhood?


    That thought caused my chest to ache dully. It seemed like I had sessfully uprooted Oliver from


    my heart, but I would need some time to heal the gaping hole he left behind.


    I didn¡¯t let myself hang onto that thought for any longer. Instead, I opened my suitcase and began to


    pack my things.


    I had gotten into the habit of not letting myself hoard too many material belongings, so I didn¡¯t have


    many clothes or other possessions. A single suitcase was enough to contain everything.


    I was almost done with putting my things away when someone knocked on the door. I opened the


    door to see Conrad.


    N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    He had changed his clothes. He looked past me and into the room, frowning when he saw the


    unzipped suitcase. ¡°Are you moving out of the Gildon estate?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. It would be awkward to overstay my wee,¡± I said as I turned around and continued


    packing up.


    Conrad entered the room and looked at the open wardrobe. Chris¡® clothes were still hanging in


    there, and Conrad clenched his fists at the sight.


    ¡°You were with Chris for so long,¡± Conrad said slowly. ¡°Can you really bear to leave like this?¡±


    Could I bear to leave? Why did everyone ask me the same thing?


    I paused before replying, ¡°Conrad, you should know how good I am at breaking things off.¡±


    Conrad remained quiet. I continued to pack my things away and zipped the suitcase once I was


    finished. Just as I was about to reach out and take it off the bed, Conrad held it down.


    I looked up and met his gaze.


    His gaze was clear. It was entirely different from the chill in Chris¡® gaze and the dark shadows in


    Brandon¡¯s. His eyes gleamed like a clear and unsulliedke. It was so pure that it even made me


    feel serene.


    ¡°Maddie, you once said that this was your home,¡± he said in a low voice. His tone cast an invisible


    pressure on my shoulders that made it hard to breathe.


    I knew he wanted me to stay.


    ¡°Do you really think it¡¯s okay for me to keep staying here?¡± I said, pointing at the pillows pushed


    together on the bed. ¡°Do you really want me to keep sleeping in the same bed as Chris after


    breaking up?


    Something in Chris¡® gaze changed, but it flitted by so quickly that I couldn¡¯t make it out.


    He retracted his hand and said in the same low voice, ¡°Are you going toe back in the future?¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± I said with a smile.


    However, I knew that even if I dide back, it would be once in a blue moon. In fact, I might not


    come back at all.


    don¡¯t know who came up with the idea of staying friends with one¡¯s ex after a breakup, but it was a


    stupid idea that I knew I didn¡¯t subscribe to.


    ¡°Will you still see me the same way?¡± Conrad asked sadly.


    My heart suddenly ached bitterly, but I did my best to keep a smile on my face.¡± Of course. You¡¯ll


    always be the same Conrad to me.¡±


    ¡°Then¡­¡± he trailed off after a single word. He looked at me with a deep gaze,


    clear but dark like the depths of ake. ¡°Can I hug you?¡±


    I froze. Before I could reply, he had already pulled me into his arms.


    His warm breaths fell against my hair gently. I could feel the warmth against


    I


    my skin through my hair, and I could feel the warmth making its way into my


    heart. I shivered slightly.


    Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out!

 Redmption 58

    Redmption 58


    ¡°You still have me, kid.¡±


    As Conrad spoke, he patted the back of my head gently with hisrge hand before letting me go.


    Even though I was never a crier, I could feel my tears suddenly rushing to my eyes and falling down


    my face.


    I couldn¡¯t even stop them if I tried.


    I didn¡¯t want the tears to actually fall. That would betray me.


    I desperately tried to hold my tears in, but they refused to be held back. In fact, they flowed even


    more heavily the more I tried to stop them. All I could do was look away and refuse to let him see


    my pathetic disy of feelings.


    Conrad softly caressed my hair with hisrge hand. ¡°It¡¯s not embarrassing to cry in front of me,


    remember?¡±


    He had told me that once before.¡±


    He was reminding me of that again.


    However, that situation was preying on the only bit of dignity I had left. I turned around so my back


    was facing him and quickly wiped my tears away.


    He could probably tell what I was trying to do and picked up my suitcase. ¡°I¡¯ll put this in the car for


    you.¡±


    Even though he left, I covered my face with my hands anyway.


    I allowed my tears to pour down my face.


    When I went downstairs, both Bree and Zack were busy in the kitchen. Their joy at their son¡¯s return


    had outweighed the sorrow of losing their daughter¨Cinw.


    I didn¡¯t say goodbye to them. I didn¡¯t want them to see my red, swollen eyes, and I didn¡¯t want them


    to try to get me to stay.


    Conrad was waiting for me in front of the car while staring off into the distance. He seemed to be


    thinking of something.


    When he saw me, a mild smile tweaked the corners of his mouth. ¡°Do you want


    me to fetch you?¡±


    I shook my head and did my best to force out a smile. ¡°You haven¡¯t been here in four years. The


    town has changed a lot. You¡¯re going to get lost.¡±


    His smile widened ever so slightly. ¡°Is that so?¡±


    I looked at my shoes instead of talking to him directly. I didn¡¯t want him to see my reddened eyes.


    ¡°I¡¯m leaving now. I¡¯ll buy you dinner some other time.¡±


    Conrad didn¡¯t say anything as I opened the door and entered the driver¡¯s seat. When I started the


    engine, he suddenly put a hand on the window and asked, ¡± Where are you staying now? Can you


    tell me?¡±


    I tightened my grip on the steering wheel and fell silent.


    He smiled bitterly and took his hand off the window. ¡°Drive carefully.¡±


    I drove off. The moment the car passed the threshold, I looked at the house growing smaller and


    smaller behind me in the rearview mirror as my tears. began to pour like rain once again.


    Goodbye, my home of ten years.


    N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    Goodbye, my love.


    Goodbye, me from the past.


    I assumed Bree didn¡¯t call me because Conrad had talked to her.


    I went home, put my suitcase down, and did some unpacking before going to bed.


    I slept soundly until the next morning. I opened the window and watched the sunrise as I told


    myself, ¡°Today is the start of a new day.¡±


    After I made that promise with Chris, which was why I would be spending more time at the


    amusement park from now on. It was also a good way to avoid seeing him.


    Kara had also prepared herself for a busy month. After all, it was time for the handover.


    ¡°Have you reconfirmed when the representatives will reach tomorrow?¡± I asked


    her.


    ¡°Yes, Ms. Crown. One department will arrive tomorrow at 11:00 am while the other will arrive at


    about 2:00 pm. I¡¯ve also booked the hotel they will be


    staying in, which is the nearest hotel from here.¡± Kara was as vignt about her job as usual.


    ¡°Book another room,¡± I said.


    ¡°Are we expecting more people?¡± Kara asked.

 Redmption 59

    Redmption 59


    ¡°No. It¡¯s for us. After all, we need to test the lighting, which will have to be tested at night for the best


    results. We have to be prepared to stay overnight or go home reallyte, so it won¡¯t be convenient


    for us to go all the way back home,¡± I exined.


    Kara gave me a thumbs¨Cup. ¡°Ms. Crown, your foresight is as impressive as


    ever.¡±


    ¡°If you have a boyfriend, remember to let him know you won¡¯t have much time for dating for a


    while,¡± I reminded her.


    ¡°It¡¯ll be fine. It¡¯s about time to give him a little test anyway,¡± Kara said with a bright smile.


    Her smile was so sweet that I could immediately tell how much he liked him.


    ¡°Great. Let¡¯s get to work then. In order to save more time, we should find the root of all the problems


    that havee up. That way, once our partners reach, they can target the very root of the issue,¡± I


    said.


    Kara nodded and took out the blueprint. ¡°I¡¯ll watch over Areas A, D, and F.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take care of the rest,¡± I said. Even though I was the head of the project, the situation called for


    all hands on deck.


    The next day, we met up with the two representatives from construction management. One was


    named Mr. Huntington while the other was a woman called Ms. Wydell.


    We met up with the representatives of the lightingpany as well, Mr. Zales and Mr. Lachy.


    The six of us began to discuss the issues that Kara and I had discovered. After that, we did a


    thorough investigation of the equipment. Finally, we determined that none of the physical lighting


    was damaged, nor was any of the


    construction work. The problem came from the debugging of the lighting programming.


    As per our previous agreements, the lightingpany was in charge of dealing with the debugging.


    Mr. Lachy immediately contacted thepany


    and gave me a quick answer. ¡°We¡¯ll send over a lighting engineer from ourpany. He¡¯ll be here


    by tomorrow afternoon.¡±


    I felt rather impatient at that answer. ¡°Is it possible to make them arrive sooner?


    Even though we had a month left, and we already found the root of the issue, lighting debugging


    was an extremely tedious job. A single light might need to be reprogrammed many times, and there


    were more than 10,000 lights all over. the amusement park. It would be impossible toplete if


    we didn¡¯t speed up the process.


    We also had to leave time for Chris to check everything. If he was unhappy with what we came up


    with or felt like something was unsatisfactory, we would need more time to adjust things.


    ¡°Mr. Howell is overseas. He¡¯s already rushing back, and tomorrow is the soonest he can be here,¡±


    Mr. Lachy exined.


    Since their side was already trying their best, I couldn¡¯t really say anything. All


    could do was wait.


    We all had dinner together, during which asked, ¡°How¡¯s Mr. Howell¡¯s repertoire?¡±


    Mr. Lachy was about 40 years old and slightly plump. He was also extremely friendly and sincere.


    ¡°Well, let¡¯s just say that if he¡¯s the second¨Cbest in the industry, no one can im to be the best.


    Was he really that good?


    I chuckled and replied, ¡°If that¡¯s the case, I feel much better already.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s still single, by the way. If you have any single youngdies looking for a partner, maybe we


    could introduce them to each other,¡± Mr. Lachy joked.


    ¡°Sure! Aren¡¯t you afraid that he won¡¯t want to leave if he dates someone from here?¡± I teased.


    N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    ¡°Well, ourpany provides positions for our staff¡¯s family members,¡± Mr. Lachy teased back.


    The meal was extremely enjoyable and was a wee way to relieve the tension from the


    uing stress. When I got home, my phone rang. It was a call from Chris.


    I didn¡¯t know what he could be calling sote for, but I picked up anyway.¡± Hello, Mr. Gildon.¡±


    ¡°You really are a piece of work, Madeline. Are you still adamant that there¡¯s something going on


    between Jewel and me?¡± he asked in a dark voice.


    I guessed he was calling to set the record straight, even though it seemed like someone else had


    already done that with him.


    ¡°Is there anything I mentioned that you didn¡¯t do?¡± I asked mildly.


    He chuckled coldly and replied, ¡°Okay, Madeline. If that¡¯s what you want.¡±


    What?


    Before I could make sense of what he was saying, he had already hung up. I washed up andy


    down. Once I turned my phone on, I saw a bunch of unread messages from a group chat called ¡°La


    La Land¡°.


    It was a group chat with Chris and Derick as well as a few of their other friends. I was in it too as the


    group chat was open to girlfriends as well. Back then, I joined as Chris¡® girlfriend.


    The moment I opened the group chat, I saw a bunch of messages mentioning


    1. me.

 Redmption 60

    Redmption 60


    Peter: ¡°Maddie, are you and Chris really over?¡±


    Quincy: ¡°Maddie, Chris just went a bit cuckoo because of what you did. Don¡¯t get mad at him. We¡¯ll


    beat some sense into him!¡°Ernest said, ¡°Maddie, when are you free? I¡¯ll treat you and Chris to


    dinner.¡±


    Wilson: ¡°I volunteer! I can definitely get you guys back on good terms!¡±


    Daniel: ¡°Quit messing around, you guys. It¡¯s normal for couples to fight. Your guys are just running


    your mouths!¡± I was confused about what they heard to make them start tagging me in the group


    chat.


    There were only eight people in the group chat. Apart from the five who were. chatting, there was


    also Chris, Derick, and I.


    Derick was the only one of Chris¡® friends who wasn¡¯t saying anything, but he was also the one I was


    closest with.


    I sent him a private message: ¡°Derick, what are they talking about?¡±


    Among the seven of them, Chris was the third oldest and Derick was the sixth oldest. As a joke,


    some of them usually called me their sister¨Cinw, but I wasn¡¯t officially in a rtionship with Chris


    yet when I met Derick.


    However, by then he was already so close to Chris that they were practically brothers.


    I asionally referred to him as my own brother sometimes out of proximity, but most of the time I


    would just call him Derick.


    ¡°Chris uploaded an Instagram story. Didn¡¯t you see it?¡± Derick replied immediately.


    I knew he must have seen the messages in the group chat but stayed silent. because he knew


    about what was happening between Chris and me.


    After seeing Derick¡¯s reply, I immediately opened Instagram and saw Chris¡® new story. It was a


    freshly picked red rose along with the caption, ¡°Red roses are prettier anyway.¡±


    Pretty much anyone who knew me knew that I loved white roses.


    Chapero


    That kind of story was basically announcing to everyone who knew we were dating that we were


    over.


    Based on what he had said over the phone, it was also a way to tell me that he was going to be


    official with Jewel.


    The people in the group chat were waiting for me to say something, so I liked. Chris¡® story and


    returned to the group chat.


    ¡°Thank you for your concern, friends. Chris and I are no longer together. From today onwards, we


    are only friends.¡±


    The moment I sent that text, the rest responded with a few shocked and surprised emojis and


    stickers.


    I gave them all a quick once¨Cover before going into settings and quitting the group chat.


    I no longer cared about what they would say.


    However, I couldn¡¯t sleep the whole night. All I dreamt about was his friends asking me why I


    wanted to break up with him.


    I was up before sunrise. My eyes were a bit swollen, perhaps because I cried yesterday.


    I put some ice on my face to help with swelling before putting on some. makeup. I packed up some


    clothes and necessities since I was going to be staying in a hotel for a few days.


    By the time Kara reached the amusement park, I had already been working for some time. She


    looked at me in shock. ¡°Ms. Crown, did you spend the whole night here?¡±


    ¡°No. I just happened to reach pretty early,¡± I said as I looked at her. ¡°Have you had breakfast yet?¡±


    ¡°No.¡± Kara was the kind of person to barely make it to work on time and then sneakily eat her


    breakfast while working.


    ¡°Go have your breakfast first ande back to work after that. By the way, say goodbye to your


    naps from now on. You¡¯re not going to get a chance to sleep on the job with me,¡± I reminded her.


    Chartered


    Kara stuck out her tongue yfully but still nodded anyway. ¡°Okay, no naps, but you have to give


    me a week off once we¡¯re done. Let me brush up on all the sleep I¡¯m going to lose.¡±


    I would no longer be working there once we were done with the amusement park. Would I still have


    the right to approve her leave by then?


    I still agreed nheless. I assumed I would still be able to put in a meager request like that when


    the time came.


    Kara and I had just ordered our lunch from a delivery app when Derick suddenly showed up.


    ¡°I¡¯ll treat you to lunch,¡± he said the moment he saw me.


    ¡°No thanks. I need to meet the lighting technician in the afternoon,¡± I said, turning him down.


    Derick looked around at the amusement park. ¡°You really do take this ce seriously.¡±


    I smiled. ¡°If you have something to say, go ahead and say it.¡±


    N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.


    and it meant you never loved him enough in the first ce.¡±


    I nodded slightly. ¡°Probably.¡±


    ¡°Do you know what Chris did when he saw that?¡± Derick asked, looking at me. calmly.


    I thought about it for a second before saying, ¡°Did he leave the group?¡±


    He gave me a thumbs¨Cup. ¡°You guys are a perfect match when ites to that.


    ¡°Well, a red rose is the perfect match for him now.¡± The moment I said that, Kara jogged up to me.


    ¡°Ms. Crown, our food is here. Do you want to eat now?¡±


    I looked at Derick. ¡°If that¡¯s all you wanted to say, feel free to y around for a bit. I¡¯m going to have


    my lunch.¡±


    ¡°Go ahead. I¡¯m going to revisit my childhood,¡± he said. He sometimes acted like. a child, but he was


    also the closest to Chris.


    That was why we were also close, and he didn¡¯t try to talk me out of my


    decisions. All he did was ask me what I thought and told me what I needed to


    know.


    ¡°You really are unforgiving when ites to pissing people off, Maddie!¡± Derick called out from


    behind me.


    I turned around. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe you liked his story! What a queen!¡± he said, giving me another thumbs¨Cup.


    I smiled mildly. ¡°He posted it for me to see. I have to let him know I saw it.¡±


    While eating, Kara tried to dig for gossip. ¡°Ms. Crown, is that the person Mr. Gildon sent to get you


    on his side?¡±


    ¡°No. He¡¯s just here for a random chat. Don¡¯t think too much about it. Even if the president himself


    came, he wouldn¡¯t be able to help Chris¡® case,¡± I said,


    causing Kara to sigh.


    ¡°You¡¯re really good at cutting off ties, Ms. Crown. I would have given in,¡± Kara said.


    ¡°Everyone¡¯s different. We all have things we¡¯re good at,¡± I said as I poked at my meal. I had no


    appetite and was even beginning to feel a little bit nauseous.


    At that very moment, my phone rang with a call from Mr. Lachy. He said the lighting technician was


    here.


    I asked Mr. Lachy to bring the lighting technician in before forcing some food. down my throat. Even


    though I wasn¡¯t hungry at all, I knew I would need to energy to run around the amusement park


    while workingter.


    However, Mr. Lachy entered with the lighting engineer before I was done with my food. I looked up


    and froze in shock when I saw who it was.

 Redmption 61

    Redmption 61


    Derick nodded and walked into the amusement park as I followed right behind him.


    ¡°Why did you leave the group?¡± he asked.


    ¡°It was a group chat for you guys, and I don¡¯t say anything in there anyway. With me around, you


    guys have to be so cautious of what you have to say.¡± I was telling the truth. They used to throw


    around dirty jokes here and there, but Chris had always reminded them of my presence.


    His exact words back then had been, ¡°Watch what you guys say. My girlfriend is here.¡±


    I remembered re¨Creading the word ¡°girlfriend¡± countless times, feeling overjoyed


    ¡°You¡¯re pretty thoughtful,¡± he said. His words brought me back to reality.


    I didn¡¯t reply. He stopped in front of a scooter and asked, ¡°Can I try this out?¡±


    ¡°Go ahead.¡±


    The moment I gave him the green light, he actually got onto the scooter and began to zoom


    around.


    ¡°Hey! This is pretty fun.¡± It was as if he had suddenly be a three¨Cyear¨Cold.


    I stayed silent as I watched him y. After turning a couple of rounds, Derick finally asked, ¡°Are you


    really giving up on Chris?¡±


    I leaned against the railing and said, ¡°I¡¯m allergic to cheaters, remember?¡±


    He turned another round before rolling up next to me. ¡°Don¡¯t you think letting go would be doing


    someone else a favor?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve always been open to charity.¡±


    Heughed at my reply and stopped the scooter. ¡°Do you know what everyone talked about after


    you left the group chat yesterday?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to know,¡± I replied straightforwardly.


    Derick went ahead and said it anyway. ¡°They all said you let go much too easily,


    2/3


    and it meant you never loved him enough in the first ce.¡±


    I nodded slightly. ¡°Probably.¡±


    ¡°Do you know what Chris did when he saw that?¡± Derick asked, looking at me calmly.


    ¡±


    I thought about it for a second before saying, ¡°Did he leave the group?¡±


    He gave me a thumbs¨Cup. ¡°You guys are a perfect match when ites to that.


    ¡°Well, a red rose is the perfect match for him now.¡± The moment I said that, Kara jogged up to me.


    ¡°Ms. Crown, our food is here. Do you want to eat now?¡±


    I looked at Derick. ¡°If that¡¯s all you wanted to say, feel free to y around for a bit. I¡¯m going to have


    my lunch.¡±


    ¡°Go ahead. I¡¯m going to revisit my childhood,¡± he said. He sometimes acted like a child, but he was


    also the closest to Chris.


    That was why we were also close, and he didn¡¯t try to talk me out of my


    decisions. All he did was ask me what I thought and told me what I needed to know.


    ¡°You really are unforgiving when ites to pissing people off, Maddie!¡± Derick called out from


    behind me.


    I turned around. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe you liked his story! What a queen!¡± he said, giving me another thumbs¨Cup.


    I smiled mildly. ¡°He posted it for me to see. I have to let him know I saw it.¡±


    While eating, Kara tried to dig for gossip. ¡°Ms. Crown, is that the person Mr. Gildon sent to get you


    on his side?¡±


    ¡°No. He¡¯s just here for a random chat. Don¡¯t think too much about it. Even if the president himself


    came, he wouldn¡¯t be able to help Chris¡® case,¡± I said,


    causing Kara to sigh.


    ¡°You¡¯re really good at cutting off ties, Ms. Crown. I would have given in,¡± Kara said.


    3/3


    ¡°Everyone¡¯s different. We all have things we¡¯re good at,¡± I said as I poked at my meal. I had no


    appetite and was even beginning to feel a little bit nauseous.


    At that very moment, my phone rang with a call from Mr. Lachy. He said the lighting technician was


    here.


    I asked Mr. Lachy to bring the lighting technician in before forcing some food down my throat. Even


    though I wasn¡¯t hungry at all, I knew I would need to energy to run around the amusement park


    while workingter.


    However, Mr. Lachy entered with the lighting engineer before I was done with my food. I looked up


    and froze in shock when I saw who it was. Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.

 Redmption 62

    Redmption 62


    Brandon?


    Wasn¡¯t he a taxi driver? Why was he also the lighting technician I had been so impressed by?


    At that very moment, I felt like I was dreaming.


    ¡°Mr. Howell, this is Ms. Crown.¡± Mr. Lachy introduced us.


    He reached out a hand. ¡°Hello, Ms. Crown.¡±


    gaze mo


    His tone and it seem as if that really was our first time meeting.


    I


    I was still frozen in my seat. From my angle, his perfect jawline was on full disy as well as the


    sensual Adam¡¯s apple that had frankly popped up in my m¨¦mory a few times.


    Kara nudged me lightly with her elbow, causing me toe back to my senses


    and reach out a hand.


    Our handshake was barely a brush of fingertips. He immediately said, ¡°Please continue with your


    meal, Ms. Crown. I¡¯ll take a look at the lighting first.¡±


    ¡°No need. I¡¯ll go with you guys,¡± I said. I was about to walk away, but Brandon¡® remained in ce.


    He suddenly looked at Mr. Lachy and asked, ¡°Have you eaten, Mr. Lachy? I haven¡¯t had my lunch


    yet. Is there anything to eat around here?¡±


    Mr. Lachy smiled. ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve eaten,¡± he said before looking at me and saying, ¡± We can order some


    food here, right?¡±


    I immediately picked up on what he wanted and told Kara, ¡°Kara, order some food for Mr. Howell.¡±


    ¡°Okay!¡± Kara replied. She quickly opened the delivery app and asked, ¡°What would you like, Mr.


    Howell? Pasta? Maybe a sandwich? There are a bunch of cuisines avable.¡±


    He pointed at my half¨Ceaten takeout container. ¡°This is fine.¡±


    I was eating an extra¨Cspicy aglio olio pasta that I had specifically asked Kara to


    order.


    However, Brandon was from the South. I wasn¡¯t sure if he could handle the extra spice. I was


    surprised that he even wanted to order it at all..


    ¡°Great! This is amon dish here. I didn¡¯t know you guys had the same tastebuds!¡± Kara said as


    she ordered for him.


    23


    I cleared my throat unnaturally and looked at Brandon and Mr. Lachy. ¡°Should


    we-


    ¡°Let¡¯s finish our lunch first. We need to eat to have the energy to work,¡±


    Brandon said as he put his backpack down and took a bottle of water out of the side pocket. He


    tilted his head back to take a few gulps.


    His Adam¡¯s apple bobbed clearly due to the motion of swallowing, and I couldn¡¯t help myself from


    gulping along with him.


    His lunch would take at least 20 more minutes to reach. He looked at me while holding the half¨C


    empty water bottle and said, ¡°Please enjoy your lunch, Ms. Crown. We¡¯ll go over and take a quick


    look in the meantime.¡±


    Brandon then walked away with Mr. Lachy. Kara nudged me again and said, He¡¯s so handsome and


    manly!¡±


    People were always drawn to shiny things. Kara had obviously fallen for Brandon¡¯s good looks.


    To be fair, she had excellent taste.


    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    ¡°You already have a boyfriend, right?¡± I said as I took a mouthful of pasta.


    She chuckled. ¡°I¡¯m just looking at the menu! He¡¯s leaving after he¡¯s done with the lighting anyway,


    so nothing big is going to happen.¡±


    I choked on my pasta when I heard that. She looked so tame and orderly that those flirtatious words


    came as an honest shock to me.


    ¡°You¡¯re a ygirl!¡± I said, amused. Then I reminded her seriously, ¡°Work is still work. Don¡¯t be led


    astray by those thoughts of yours.¡±


    ¡°It would be so boring to stay here for a whole month without something to look forward to. Don¡¯t


    worry, Ms. Crown. I won¡¯t do anything that goes against. my values,¡± Kara said, seeming to already


    have her sights set on him.


    I thought about what Brandon told me before and shook my head lightly.


    Brandon¡¯s food took 22 minutes to be delivered, and Kara spent all 22 minutes talking about


    Brandon.


    I guess Kara proved to me that love at first sight existed.


    I couldn¡¯t help but feel like I would be a culprit if Kara dumped her current boyfriend for Brandon.


    Besides, I felt like Brandon wouldn¡¯t like Kara.


    Even though Kara was just trying to get rid of her boredom, I knew that falling for someone was as


    hard to undo as a fresh injury.


    In order to stop her from getting hurt, it was better for me to nip the problem in the bud.


    Thus, I said, ¡°He¡¯s already into someone.


    ¡°Huh?¡± Kara looked at me. ¡°How


    d you know? Do you know him?¡±


    If I said yes, that would just lead to even more exining.


    Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out!

 Redmption 63

    Redmption 63


    I was sure that would only make things more awkward for both Brandon and me in the future if Kara


    assumed anything.


    Besides, Brandon had clearly been pretending not to know me just now when we met. That further


    convinced me not to let anyone know that we had met before.


    ¡°No,¡± I said.


    ¡°Then-¡±


    I


    Before Kara could finish her question, I cut her off and said, ¡°It was a guess.¡±


    mer


    Kara didn¡¯t eat much of her lunch either. After all, she was mostly distracted by Brandon. She


    usually had quite the appetite, and she had even ordered her favorite grilled chicken for lunch that


    day.


    It seemed like good food was nothingpared to a good¨Clooking man.


    ¡°Guess?¡± Kara was the type to keep digging until she got to the bottom of things. ¡°How could you


    guess? Was it super obvious or something?¡±


    I really didn¡¯t know how to answer her, but I knew that she would let her imagination run wild if I


    didn¡¯t give her a solid answer. Just as I was thinking about what I could say suddenly spotted a


    small keychain hanging on his bag.


    It was an extremely adorable keychain of a white bunny..


    ¡°That.¡± I jutted my chin toward the keychain. ¡°That¡¯s enough evidence.¡±


    ¡°What can that prove?¡± Kara asked in confusion.


    ¡°He¡¯s a grown man. Why would he carry such a cute keychain around? Don¡¯t you think it¡¯s a bit


    weird?¡± I asked, taking a sip from the coffee on the table.


    It was way too sweet.


    Kara had ordered that for me.


    ¡°Please just order lemonade or water for me next time,¡± I reminded her.


    Kara didn¡¯t answer. Instead, she stared at the keychain and muttered to herself, ¡°So you¡¯re saying


    that his girlfriend put it there to assert dominance.¡±


    I was relieved that she had picked up what I was putting down. I patted her on the shoulder and


    stood up, but she suddenly tugged at the corner of my shirt. ¡°I don¡¯t think that has to be the case.


    What if he just likes bunnies?¡±


    I fell silent.


    ¡°I¡¯ll ask him in a second,¡± Kara said. The moment she said that, Brandon and Mr. Lachy returned.


    Brandon had pretty good instincts. I didn¡¯t even need to call him to let him. know his food was


    there.


    ¡°Mr. Howell, your food is here, Kara said. She excitedly began to open the bag for him and even


    seemed ready toy out the utensils for him.


    Brandon stopped her right away. ¡°I can do it myself, thanks.¡±


    ¡°I-¡± Kara clearly wanted to offer her help further, but he said, ¡°I¡¯m a germaphobe.¡±


    I almost burst outughing.


    He had just ordered takeout. Every single part of the takeout had been touched by others. If he


    really was a germaphobe, he wouldn¡¯t have ordered food from a


    restaurant.


    He was clearly just stopping Kara from being too eager. I also managed to figure out that he really


    didn¡¯t have any feelings for her.


    However, Kara was so full of dopamine from her newfound crush that she couldn¡¯t sense that at all.


    She just said, ¡°Okay!¡± before passing him the bag.


    He nced at my container as he took his utensils out. I had cleverly covered it up even though I


    hadn¡¯t finished it, so he couldn¡¯t tell.


    However, he still asked, ¡°Are you guys done with lunch?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°No!¡±


    Kara and I gave twopletely different answers. In fact, after she said ¡°No¡°, she sat down and


    continued to eat her grilled chicken, which had already gone.


    cold.


    Chapter 63.


    I shook my head inwardly at the sight. I guess love really was the best drug.


    I couldn¡¯t bear to sit there and decided to pick up my takeout container, ready. to go toss it in the


    trash outside. Suddenly, I heard Kara say, ¡°Mr. Howell, that¡¯s a gorgeous bunny keychain. Can I


    have it?¡±


    Hearing that made my legs lock up, almost causing me to trip over my own


    feet.


    What a straightforward youngdy!


    ¡°No,¡± Brandon replied firmly.


    I wasn¡¯t surprised at all. Even though I couldn¡¯t see Kara¡¯s face, I could feel her awkwardness from


    where I was standing. In fact, even I felt awkward on her behalf.


    N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    I heard Brandon speak again: ¡°I want to give it to my girlfriend.¡±

 Redmption 64

    Redmption 64


    Girlfriend?


    He had met me on a blind date just a few days ago and almost immediately. asked for my hand in


    marriage. How could he get a girlfriend in such a short


    amount of time?


    I remembered how urgent he had been to get married. He clearly needed a partner desperately, so


    he moved on immediately after I turned him down.


    That was good. That meant I could face him properly and not have to worry about anything.


    I quickly tossed my container into the trash can and waited for him by the door.


    Kara came over less than two minutester. She clearly hadn¡¯t finished her chicken, and it was


    probably because her new crush was already taken.


    She sighed loudly. ¡°The grass really is greener on the other side. I can¡¯t even y around


    anymore.¡±


    9


    I was tickled by her disappointment. ¡°Thank God you¡¯re not a man, Kara. You¡¯d be a real


    casanova.¡±


    After I finished speaking, Brandon began walking toward us. He had on a ck T¨Cshirt, cargo


    pants, and tough leather boots. He walked with an upright posture. He really was a modern Adonis.


    ¡°He¡¯s so hot!¡± Kara breathed out. ¡°Look at those muscles! He just gets better the more I look at him.


    I bet it would make my year to get lifted up by those


    arms.¡±


    I knocked on her forehead with a knuckle. ¡°Quit having so many dirty thoughts.¡±


    ¡°What kind of woman would be able to pull such a magnificent man? I¡¯m


    genuinely curious,¡± Kara asked, seemingly too far gone in her obsession with his good looks.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. Go ahead and ask him yourself,¡± I said as I approached him.


    Even though he was the main person in charge of the lighting, I needed to be there as the third¨C


    party organizer while he debugged the lighting program.


    After all, if he didn¡¯t do a good job, I would be the one in hot water.


    Kara quickly followed me. Before we were within earshot of Brandon, she said, Maddie, even if I


    can¡¯t y around with him, it would be nice to have some eye candy.¡±


    I fell silent.


    I had been working with her for two years. I never knew how lustful she was. She almost seemed to


    be willing to do anything for her lustful thoughts.


    Brandon, Mr. Lachy, and I reached the first set of lights. Mr. Lachy had already sent him all the


    issues with the lighting in an e¨Cmail, so Brandon immediately began working on it.


    The process was a sess. He quickly managed to debug the first set of lights.


    ¡°That¡¯s so cool! He really is a good engineer,¡± Kara said as she pped, looking for all the world like


    a fangirl.


    Brandon approached me. ¡°Where¡¯s the general control panel for the amusement park?¡±


    ¡°What?¡± I didn¡¯t understand.


    ¡°These lights are taking up a lot of the wiring here. I want to check the electricity and also the wiring.


    In fact, it would be best to contact the wiring. engineers who worked on these,¡± Brandon said to me.


    I didn¡¯t ask any further after that. I simply called the wiring engineer and asked him to wait for me in


    the control room.


    N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.


    ht Kara along with him to the next area that was having problems. Ltook Brandon to the control


    room. Both of us walked in perfect silence.


    The atmosphere felt a little bit strange and awkward.


    In the end, I gave in and asked, ¡°Aren¡¯t you a taxi driver?¡±


    ¡°Yes. That¡¯s my part¨Ctime job,¡± he replied casually.


    Kelly had called him a skilled young man, and I could see that for myself now.


    He was also a lighting engineer, not a mere technician. He must have quite a high sry, but he still


    had a part¨Ctime job on top of that.


    Apart from being skilled at his job, there was probably another reason. He was probably strapped


    for cash.


    If not, he wouldn¡¯t be renting at Kelly¡¯s ce.


    I couldn¡¯t help but look at his outfit with that thought in mind. It was a very simple outfit, but he


    somehow made it work.


    The saying goes ¡°Clothes make the man, but Brandon somehow managed to make a set of old


    work clothes look fashionable.


    ¡°Is there something wrong?¡± His voice pulled me back to reality.


    ¡°No,¡± I said. I immediately thought about Kara¡¯s crush on him and couldn¡¯t help but give him a


    friendly reminder. ¡°Don¡¯t let her know we know each other.¡±


    ¡°Why not? Is it that embarrassing for us to have met?¡± he asked, causing me to freeze up.

 Redmption 65

    Redmption 65


    I turned and met his dark gaze. I suddenly began to feel guilty out of nowhere.


    I looked away and continued walking. ¡°No. I just don¡¯t want anyone to get the wrong idea,¡± I replied.


    ¡°Okay.¡± His one¨Cword reply left me confused.


    Despite my confusion, I remained silent. We were all adults after all.


    Boundaries and privacy were important.


    Besides, he didn¡¯t seem like a chatty guy.


    N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.


    Silence fell between us yet again, causing the awkward tension to rise. I was, once again, the same


    person to break the silence and ask, ¡°How quickly can you get these lights fixed?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s hard to say,¡± he replied.


    I fell silent.


    I thought of the agreement between Chris and me and said, ¡°20 days. That¡¯s all I can give you.¡±


    He looked at me. I thought he would say something, but all he said was,


    Alright.¡±


    So he was agreeing?


    I had nothing else to say after that. Of course, I could still ask about the oldndlorddy, but I


    didn¡¯t.


    If not for that oldndlorddy, we wouldn¡¯t be so awkward with each other, so bringing her up


    would only make things even more awkward.


    We walked in silence. The walk to the control room was only supposed to be a few minutes, but it


    felt like a century. I was even beginning to sweat slightly.


    I couldn¡¯t help but admit that I was pretty useless for feeling so awkward. I was perfectly at ease in


    front of my ex¨Cfianc¨¦, but why was I so awkward in front of some guy I met through a failed blind


    date?


    We finally reached the control room after a long stretch of silence. The wiring


    technician was already there, so I briefly introduced them. After that, the


    technician looked over the power supply map of the entire amusement park with Brandon.


    After they both checked it thoroughly, I asked Brandon, ¡°Is something wrong?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    That simple reply let me down. We still hadn¡¯t found an issue after poring over the map for so long,


    but if Brandon wanted to take a look, that meant he had found a connection between the electricity


    source and the lighting.


    I was kind of confused, but Brandon looked at the technician and said, ¡°Let¡¯s go into the control


    room to take a look.¡±


    The technician obeyed and led the way. Brandon and I followed closely behind him. Brandon stayed


    silent the whole time as he studied the wiring and panels closely. I also looked around the wiring


    with him, but I didn¡¯t understand anything.


    I was beginning to doubt that even Brandon didn¡¯t know what was going on but immediately got rid


    of that idea when I remembered that he was a lighting engineer.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t a 220V source. What is this connected to?¡± he asked.


    The technician checked thebel. ¡°It¡¯s for therge facilities in the park.¡±


    ¡°I need the names of all of the facilities that these sources are hooked up to, where they are in the


    amusement park, and a map of all the lighting,¡± Brandon said as he looked at me.


    I nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll ask Kara to send it over now.¡±


    I immediately called her. Brandon kept walking, and when Thung up, I heard Brandon telling the


    technician about another issue with the electricity.


    Brandon had sharp, dark brows and a clear gaze. Even though he wasn¡¯t particrly youthful


    looking, he had a powerful air about him, and his features were finely chiseled. His work clothes


    only added to his cool aura.


    I was practically zoned out while staring at him when he suddenly looked up at me. ¡°Come here.


    I didn¡¯t know why he was calling me, but jogged over anyway,


    In my rush, Ipletely missed a piece of equipment that was sticking out of the wall and bumped


    into it as I was jogging over.


    Aside from the pain I felt, I alsopletely lost my bnce and fell.


    The technician was closest to me, so he reached out to try and stop me. However, Brandon was


    even faster. As he reached out his arm to stop the technician from touching me, he managed to


    hold my waist just in time.


    His arms were strong and his hands were big and tough. My waist seemed to be a mere twig


    in his arms.


    Suddenly, I heard footsteps approaching us from the door. ¡°Maddie! I got what you asked f¨Cfor¡­¡±


    She trailed off. I knew she must have been taken aback by what she had just walked in on.


    Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out!

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    Redmption 66


    ¡°Maddie, you fell on purpose, right?¡±


    I didn¡¯t know Kara woulde to that conclusion. My waist was still aching, and I was sure there


    must be a dark bruise. I really wished I could just lift my shirt and show her.


    I wasn¡¯t dumb enough to take desire more seriously than my own life.


    I rolled my eyes at her but didn¡¯t stop her from talking. She continued, ¡°What does it feel like? Are


    his arms really strong? How was his-¡±


    ¡°Kara!¡±


    I immediately cut her off and said, ¡°You really don¡¯t have a single proper thought in that head of


    yours!¡±


    She


    She stuck her tongue out when she noticed that I was genuinely angry. muttered something under


    her breath, but it was so quiet that I couldn¡¯t hear


    her.


    9


    I held my tender waist and walked out of the control room.


    I suddenly remembered that Brandon had called me but didn¡¯t finish his question. He was the one


    who made me trip and embarrass myself.


    What an interesting guy.


    It seemed like I should keep my distance from him. I had to make sure I stayed alert around him,


    and I had to pretend he was just a regr technician.


    Besides, all that happened between us was a simple blind date. It wasn¡¯t like we were involved


    otherwise.


    Kara passed the documents Brandon had asked for to him and walked out. She saw me standing


    by and said, ¡°Maddie, Mr. Howell wants us to go to the affected lighting first. He¡¯ll be there in a


    second.¡±


    I nodded. I was about to walk over with Kara when my phone rang. It was a call from Derick.


    ¡°Where are you? How could you just leave me alone?¡±


    I froze when I heard him. It had been a long time since he arrived. Had he not left yet?


    Did he test out every single ride in the park?


    ¡°I thought you left,¡± I said honestly.


    ¡°Not yet. Where are you?¡± he asked.


    I told him where we were going to debug the lighting next and he said he woulde find me.


    However, I was there for almost an hour before he finally


    showed up.


    N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.


    ¡°Did you get lost?¡± I asked teasingly.


    He was holding a stic ball from the ball pit and ying around with it. As expected of a snooker


    champion, he really couldn¡¯t let go of anything that reminded him of a snooker ball.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been in mazes all over the world. Your tiny amusement park is child¡¯s y to me.¡± Apart from


    snooker, Derrick also liked breaking through mazes.


    Chris once told me that Derick would make sure to visit the mazes in every location he traveled to.


    He had pretty much gone through all of the mazes in existence and was targeting underground


    mazes next.


    The world was full of all sorts of people with all sorts of interests.


    There were people who liked racing, birdwatching, exploring, and collecting


    various items.


    ¡°No matter howplicated a maze is, there¡¯s always going to be a way that leads back home,¡± he


    suddenly said.


    I froze momentarily before understanding what he meant.


    He was telling me not to be afraid that I was lost. All I had to do was remember the path I wanted to


    take.


    He also reminded me once to really think about what I wanted.


    He seemed like a happy¨Cgo¨Clucky guy, but he was genuinely quite wise.


    Most importantly, he was still kind to me. I seemed to finally understand why he had made the trip


    here. He wanted to give me advice.


    He wasn¡¯t telling me to forgive Chris and give him another chance. Instead, het was telling me to let


    go of the past and focus on the future.


    My chest felt warm. ¡°Okay. Thanks, Derick.¡±


    He passed me the ball he had been holding. ¡°I¡¯m going back now. Feel free to find me whenever


    you want. No matter how things are with you and Chris, I¡¯ll always be your friend.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± I took the ball and nodded.


    The very next second, I felt a slight weight on my head. He caressed my hair and said, ¡°You¡¯re a


    good person. Someone who actually deserves you wille along one day.¡±


    He then retracted his hand and walked away.


    I held onto the ball he had been ying with. It was still warm from the heat of his palm. My heart


    felt bitter and ached slightly as he walked away.


    I thought a lot of things and people would leave me once I split up with Chris, but now I knew that


    wasn¡¯t the case.


    Even though some of my friendships started because of Chris, they wouldn¡¯t end because of him.

 Redmption 67

    Redmption 67


    ¡°Ms. Crown?¡± Brandon suddenly called out.


    I quickly came back to my senses and turned around. I didn¡¯t know when Kara, Brandon, and the


    technician had shown up behind me.


    I didn¡¯t know if I was overthinking it, but Brandon¡¯s expression looked colder than usual. I couldn¡¯t


    help but wonder if something was wrong. ¡°Did you find something wrong with our equipment?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve already asked another technician to go amend it,¡± he replied coldly.


    I nodded in reply. I was about to ask what needed to be done now when he said, ¡°We won¡¯t be


    debugging the lights today.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± I was taken aback.


    The technician in charge immediately said, ¡°There¡¯s something wrong with the wiring voltage. We


    need to fix that first.¡±


    I frowned when I heard that. ¡°How long will that take?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll be able toplete it today.¡±


    I let out a sigh of relief inwardly. I was terrified that it would take three to five, days.


    I


    ¡°Is there anything else I need to do?¡± I asked, looking at Brandon.


    ¡°No.¡±


    I frowned slightly. Kara spoke up before I could and asked, ¡°Are you saying we¡¯re done for the day?


    Can we leave work early?¡±


    ¡°Yes. You guys can go do other things for today. I¡¯ll contact you guys if anythinges up.¡°I hadn¡¯t


    expected Brandon¡¯s answer.


    I thought we would be burning the midnight oil once Brandon arrived, but we ended up taking


    almost half a day off.


    Before I could say anything, Brandon and the technician in charge had already left.


    Gild


    Kara whispered to me, ¡°Maddie, after leaving Mr. Gildon, you¡¯re quite the


    213


    ma.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± I didn¡¯t understand her.


    ¡°First, you got a hug from Mr. Howell. Just now we saw another hot guy patting you on the head.


    You¡¯re due for a rtionship soon!¡± Kara said, causing me to roll my eyes.


    ¡°Stop right there. This is thest time, okay? If you ever bring up things that are unrted to work


    during work hours, I will deduct 10% from your bonus each. time,¡± I said, bringing out the big guns.


    If I didn¡¯t threaten her that way, I could guarantee that she would read into every single interaction I


    had with Brandon from then onwards.


    She immediately closed her mouth and looked at me with a deted stare.


    Brandon wanted us to go back to the hotel, but I couldn¡¯t possibly do that. Even though we weren¡¯t


    debugging the lighting that same day, any little issue could


    have an effect on the lights.


    I went to the amusement park¡¯s general office and sat down to study the map of the lighting. I went


    through all of the issues that had popped up and even studied the aerial shots of the amusement


    park.


    I only went back to the hotel with Brandon and the others once they were done.


    ¡°Have you booked a room for Mr. Howell as well?¡± I asked Kara.


    ¡°Yes. All he needs to do is register with his ID,¡± she said, reaching her hand out to Brandon. She


    clearly wanted him to pass her his ID so she could register for


    him.


    ¡°I¡¯ll do it myself,¡± Brandon said, going to the front desk.


    Kara watched him walk away. ¡°He¡¯s handsome and aloof. How much more attractive can this guy


    get?¡±


    She then looked at me quickly. The moment she met my gaze, she said, ¡°It¡¯s after working hours,


    Maddie.¡±


    A crush was as dependent on personal taste as a hobby. I couldn¡¯t say anything to her about it.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go upstairs,¡± I said as I walked toward the elevator.


    N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.


    Chapp+67


    I suddenly heard Brandon¡¯s voice piping up, ¡°What¡¯s your room number, Ms.


    Crown?¡±


    I was stunned by his question.


    Kara replied before I could stop her. ¡°306!¡±


    Right after she said that, Brandon said to the receptionist, ¡°Please give me a room opposite or next


    to 306.¡±


    I remained silent.


    Kara¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°M¨CMaddie-¡±


    I nudged her firmly, indicating for her not to embarrass herself or me. I remained where I was. I


    wanted to ask what exactly Brandon meant by asking for a room so close to mine.

 Redmption 68

    Redmption 68


    Brandon quickly walked over to me. He looked at me with a casual, open gaze and said, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    What?


    Wasn¡¯t he going to exin why he wanted to stay in a room so close to mine?


    I was going to ask him, but I felt like asking would only make things weirder.


    ¡°Mr. Howell, why are you so close to our room?¡± Kara asked. Sometimes her straightforwardness


    came as a good thing because she could ask what I was too nervous to.


    He walked to the elevator and pressed the button. I saw his room card with the number ¡°308¡± on it.


    That was the room next to mine.


    ¡°For convenience,¡± he said simply.


    Convenient for what?


    It was easy to misunderstand his answer


    Kara was confused as well. She looked at me and then looked at him and


    asked, ¡°Mr. Howell, what sort of convenience are you talking about?*


    I wanted to smash her bead in. Why was she asking so many questions?


    The elevator doors were polished and shiny enough for us to see our reflections. I looked at


    Brandon through the reflection of the door and he looked up at me as well.


    Our gazes met. I met his


    gaze without avoiding anything, but he looked away


    after just a quick nce. ¡°For anything,¡± he replied Kara.


    I fell silent and so did Kara.


    Even she remained quiet. She simply tugged at the corner of my shirt.


    I felt like Brandon had finally managed to shut her up.


    The elevator reached the third floor soon enough, so we walked out and went to our respective


    rooms. Before we entered, Kara said excitedly to Brandon,¡± Mr. Howell, feel free to call me if you


    need anything!¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± Brandon said before entering his room.


    The moment I walked in, Kara approached me and asked, ¡°What¡¯s Mr. Howell getting up to? What


    sort of ideas is he getting to want to stay so close to us? What if he¡¯s secretly a pervert under that


    handsome disguise? What if he wants to do¡­ you know what!¡±


    I was surprised she would even think about protecting herself after letting her lust take over her


    common sense.


    However, even though those thoughts would be able to stop her from being so obsessed with him, I


    didn¡¯t want it to affect her work. I cut her off and said firmly, ¡°He¡¯s not like that.¡±


    She blinked. ¡°How do you know?¡±


    I regretted being so straightforward when she reminded me yet again of how curious she was. I


    decided to keep my mouth shut around Kara from then onwards, or I would be spending most of my


    time exining myself.


    ¡°I guessed. I could be wrong, of course. You¡¯re free to test that theory out,¡± I said teasingly.


    Kara¡¯s eyes gleamed. ¡°Can I? I wouldn¡¯t mind, actually.¡±


    I had reached the sofa, so I picked up a pillow and threw it at her.


    Kara cried out as I entered the room, put my suitcase down, and entered the bathroom.


    I took my clothes off and stepped into the shower. I suddenly remembered something a few minutes


    into my shower and looked down at my waist.


    I saw arge bruise that was streaked with a purple mark right where I had run into the edge of the


    appliance. I was already quite pale, so the bruise stood out even more against my skin.


    I gently caressed it and couldn¡¯t help but remember Brandon suddenly grabbing me to stop my fall.


    The image only shed in my head for a second. I squeezed my eyes shut and forced myself not to


    think of anything else.


    Before I could finish showering, Kara called out, ¡°Maddie, your phone is ringing.


    I turned the shower head off. ¡°Who is it?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. It¡¯s an unsaved number.¡±


    I frowned. ¡°Ignore it. It¡¯s probably someone who got the wrong number.¡±


    I saved all of the numbers on my phone, whether it was my clients, friends, or family members. I


    even still had Chris¡® number saved.


    ¡°Okay,¡± Kara replied before saying, ¡°How sweet do


    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    you want your lemonade >


    ¡°Just order it with less sugar,¡± I said before turning on the showerhead again.


    20 minutes had passed by the time I was finished with my shower. Kara entered the bathroom after


    me.


    I dried my hair with a towel and picked my phone up. When I noticed that the number was from


    Amaty, my first thought was about Kelly.


    Perhaps she missed me, or perhaps she had something to tell me.


    I called the number back. It only got picked up after a few seconds and I said, Hello, who¡¯s this?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s me. Can youe over?¡± Brandon¡¯s voice took me by surprise. I also wondered why I didn¡¯t


    think about him being a possibility.


    ¡°Do you need me for something?¡± I asked


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    Redmption 69


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    That was his only reply before he hung up.


    He was now the most important person when it came to solving our lighting problems. He was


    basically our a benefactor now, so I couldn¡¯t piss him off.


    Thus, I put a jacket on over my pajamas and went to knock on his door.


    When he opened the door and saw my wet hair, he swallowed hard.


    ¡°Does it still hurt?¡± he asked.


    Those four words weren¡¯t enough for me to understand what he was talking about. I asked back,


    ¡°What?¡±


    He looked down at my waist, and I immediately caught on.


    For some reason, my heart skipped a beat. ¡°Oh. I¡¯m fine.¡±


    ¡°Wait here,¡± he said before turning around and leaving me to stand in his doorway, alone.


    I looked into his room through the open door. I immediately saw theptop on


    I the desk. It seemed like he had already started to work while I was showering.


    Not bad. That was an impressive show of professionalism.


    He walked over. His tall figure blocked everything behind him, so I looked at him instead. I noticed


    he was wearing the same outfit from before, but his T- shirt was tucked into his waistband, which


    made his legs look even longer.


    He practically looked like a model on the runway.


    I could understand why Kara was so intrigued. Loving beauty was human nature. Who wouldn¡¯t


    enjoy looking at a work of art?


    ¡°Take this and apply it to your bruise. It¡¯s good for getting rid of bruises.¡± He passed me a small


    container of some sort of ointment.


    I took it from him and said, ¡°Thanks.¡±


    ¡°If it hurts really badly, you should see a doctor,¡± he said.


    N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    Both the ointment and the reminder made me wonder if he cared about me.


    The moment that thought shed in my head, I heard him say, ¡°I don¡¯t want anyone to dy our


    progress due to injuries and such once we officially start working.¡±


    I fell silent.


    So, he didn¡¯t care about me. He just didn¡¯t want me to dy our work.


    I scoffed inwardly at myself for being so hopelessly romantic and smiled.¡± Don¡¯t worry, Mr. Howell. I


    probably want this job to end more than you do.¡±


    After all, that meant I no longer had to meet him any more. The sooner I finished the project and


    handed things over to Chris, the less I had to see of Brandon.


    ¡°Thanks for this,¡± I said as I held up the ointment. After that, I turned around and walked back to my


    room.


    I tossed the ointment on the bed and let out a huge sigh.


    For some reason, I felt moody and down in the dumps. Kara had finished her shower and was


    wrapped up in a robe as she leaped onto the bed like some sort of professional diver.


    The very second she made contact with the bed, she let out a yelp. ¡°Ouch! What¡¯s this?¡±


    She found the ointment and looked at it closely. ¡°Where did thise from? Is this yours, Maddie?¡±


    ¡°Who else would it belong to?¡± I said before reaching out and taking it.


    ¡°Why do you have this? Are you hurt?¡± I wanted tough at Kara¡¯s question.


    Hadn¡¯t she personally witnessed me falling over?


    It seemed like she had only paid attention to the moment Brandon had held me in his arms. She


    hadn¡¯t noticed that I had bumped into anything.


    As for Brandon, he had given me the ointment because he had paid attention to the fact that I was


    injured.


    I suddenly felt like my thoughts were a mess. I closed my eyes and forced


    3/7


    myself to toss those thoughts away. Iy down on the bed and picked up my phone.


    There were a lot of new unread messages. Apart from the messages in the group chat, I had a few


    private messages too.


    Lisa had texted, ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±


    Conrad¡¯s message read, ¡°When are you free to take me around this city that I¡¯m going to get lost


    in?¡±


    There was a notification from Chris that simply read, ¡°This message has been


    deleted.¡±


    I stared at the notification, not knowing what he had deleted.


    Did he send it to the wrong person? Perhaps he had regretted his message or had said something


    he shouldn¡¯t have.


    I let my thoughts run freely for a second before tapping into Lisa¡¯s chat window and replying.


    Suddenly, my phone buzzed. Someone had added me as a contact.


    I opened the notification to see a profile picture of a leaf from a honey locust, tree. Next, I saw the


    name attached to it: Brandon Howell.

 Redmption 70

    Redmption 70


    I wasn¡¯t surprised that he had added me.


    We were now co¨Cworkers and would have tomunicate often over plenty of things, so adding


    each other on WhatsApp would be very convenient.


    Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    However, I didn¡¯t add his contact immediately. Instead, I replied to Lisa¡¯s message, but she didn¡¯t


    reply to me. She was probably busy again.


    I tapped on Conrad¡¯s notification and thought about it for a moment before replying, ¡°I¡¯ve been busy


    with the amusement parktely. I¡¯ll go show you around once I¡¯m done.¡±


    I followed up with one single word, ¡°Sorry¡±


    Conrad replied almost instantly, ¡°No worries. You need to take care of yourself no matter how busy


    you are, okay?¡±


    Before I could reply, he sent another text. ¡°I¡¯ll be waiting for you.¡±


    I was about to reply ¡°Okay¡°, but it didn¡¯t seem appropriate with histest message. So, I instead


    replied with, ¡°Are you going to be staying for a while?¡±


    Conrad replied, ¡°Yes. I won¡¯t be leaving for quite a bit.¡±


    I was quite surprised by his answer. A few secondster, I asked, ¡°Bree and Zack must be d.¡±


    It showed that Conrad was still typing, but his reply never came even after I waited for a few


    minutes.


    Instead of blindly waiting, I went to my email so that I could sort through them and reply to the new


    ones.


    It had be a habit to check, but I seemed to have already settled everything Ineeded to. There


    were no new emails in my inbox.


    Seeing theck of the little red dot next to my inbox made me feel empty inside for some reason.


    Kara suddenly approached me and showed me her phone screen. ¡°Maddie, have you caught up


    with this TV series? I¡¯ve been watching it so far. It¡¯s the male and female leads¡® second show


    together, and it¡¯s actually really nice!¡±


    23


    I nced at her screen. I liked both the lead actor and actress, and the clip that was ying on


    screen was pretty funny. The female lead had turned into a chicken and was currently wildly


    pecking at the male lead, who was teasing


    her.


    Thus, I put my phone down and started to watch the show with Kara. However, my interest in the


    show eventually lost to my sleepiness.


    When I opened my eyes again, it was already dawn the next day.


    Due to my biological clock, it was only 5:00 am when I woke up. As for Kara, she was sleeping like


    a log. Her nightgown had ridden up all the way to her thigh, exposing her underwear.


    I pulled the nket over her and picked up my phone. I saw a number of new


    messages.


    Lisa had replied to me and so had Conrad. His message read, ¡°What about you?


    I looked back at our chat after seeing his response. Only then did I understand that he was asking if


    I was d about him staying.


    What did that have to do with me? Whether he stayed or left had nothing to do with me. Why was


    he asking me that?


    We were both adults, so I could clearly sense that something was slightly off and didn¡¯t reply.


    I put my phone down and washed up before pouring myself a ss of water and sipping it by the


    window. I noticed that a slight fog had risen outside.


    It was very light. In fact, I could still see the scenery outside almost perfectly.


    I was almost done with my water and was about to stretch out my limbs when a figure suddenly


    popped into view.


    I noticed the long legs in an athletic stride. It was no one other than Brandon himself.


    As expected, he was the perfect veteran. He was already out of the army and yet maintained so


    many good habits. He even kept up his habit of jogging every morning.


    What a rare disciplined man.


    I suddenly remembered I hadn¡¯t added him back on WhatsApp, so I took my phone and added his


    number before starting to stretch and do some simple exercises myself.


    When I changed clothes, I applied the ointment that Brandon gave me. After all, there was no


    reason to overthink it.


    After cleaning up, I prepared to go downstairs for a quick breakfast before heading to the


    amusement park. Just then, a message came in from Brandon. It read, ¡°Do you have a boyfriend?¡±


    Was that why he had added me on WhatsApp? It wasn¡¯t for work, but it was to ask that?

 Redmption 71

    Redmption 71


    However, why was he asking about that specifically?


    I couldn¡¯t wrap my head around it and replied with a question mark.


    He didn¡¯t reply back. He had actually already eaten breakfast and headed to the amusement park


    earlier than me.


    The wiring and voltage had been fixed overnight, so Brandon immediately started on the debugging.


    I was basically just a third eye for him. He would adjust the programming and I would take a look. If


    I felt like something was off, he would do it again.


    I also realized what he saidst night. He genuinely didn¡¯t want any illnesses or injuries to affect the


    progress of work.


    -He worked nonstop like a robot. I was forced to work tirelessly as well, to the


    point where I barely even had time to drink water. In fact, sometimes I purposely held myself back


    from drinking water as drinking meant that I would have to constantly go to the restroom.


    In the short trip to and from the restroom, he would already finish debugging one of the lighting


    fixtures. Without me to confirm if it was good enough to move on, he would have to wait for me.


    That really affected our progress.


    By the third day, I was beginning to get ulcers from my dehydration. Brandon, on the other hand,


    seemed fine even though he had also barely drank any


    water.


    I guess there were some areas that women really couldn¡¯t beat men in.


    ¡°Drink some water, Maddie. If you don¡¯t, you¡¯re going to dry up into an old husk. ¡°Kara was sharing


    a room with me, which meant that she was privy to everything going on. She felt bad for me too.


    I chuckled. ¡°Even if I dry up, I¡¯ll dry up into a beautiful young husk, thank you. very much.¡±


    After that, I tilted my head back to drink some water and just so happened to meet Brandon¡¯s gaze.


    I choked due to the coincidence.


    ¡°Calm down! Why did you drink so quickly?¡± Kara asked, patting my back in an


    attempt to calm me down.


    Brandon had also approached and twisted open a bottle of water before chugging it down.


    2/3


    He drank quickly, which meant his Adam¡¯s apple was also moving quickly. I couldn¡¯t help myself


    from gulping as well.


    I knew his Adam¡¯s apple moving was simply how the body worked. However, I seemed to be extra


    sensitive to his Adam¡¯s apple.


    Did I have a thing for Adam¡¯s apples?


    I almost choked again at that thought. Kara quickly patted my back again. ¡°Why do you keep


    choking? Are you getting ulcers in your throat too?¡±


    Brandon looked over, and I quickly shook my head. ¡°No. I just drank too quickly.


    ¡°Are you dehydrated?¡± he asked, looking at me. I could feel him pointedly looking at my lips.


    I couldn¡¯t help myself from pressing my


    lips together as I shook my head and said, ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°As if! You¡¯ve been so worried about dying Mr. Howell¡¯s progress that you haven¡¯t been drinking


    any water so you wouldn¡¯t have to keep going to the bathroom! Now your whole mouth is covered in


    dry sores. You barely even eat because of them,¡± Kara said, her mouth working faster than her mind


    as usual.


    Brandon approached and stood right in front of me. ¡°Open your mouth.¡±


    I froze. Kara¡¯s eyes also widened in confusion.


    The very next second, he reached out and held my chin, forcing me to open my mouth. He peered


    inside and let go before saying, ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s all ulcers in there.¡±


    He turned to look at Kara, whose jaw had practically dropped to the floor. ¡°Go buy some oral


    antiseptic spray and medicated mouthwash for her.¡±


    Kara nodded and stammered out, ¡°Okay!¡±


    Then, she turned to leave. However, she quickly turned back and asked, ¡°I thought you were an


    engineer. How do you know so much about medicine?¡±


    I was still filled with awkwardness at having my mouth manhandled by him


    Äê


    and said, ¡°He used to be a soldier.¡±


    Kara looked at me and was about to say something when Brandon said, ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to get a


    move on?¡±


    ¡°I-¡± she was about to say something when she met my gaze. She seemed to remember something


    and finally walked away.


    I looked at Brandon and said, ¡°Next time, don¡¯t-¡±


    Before I could finish my sentence, I heard Kara call out, ¡°Good morning, Mr. Gildon!¡±


    I froze. Chris was here?


    Act Fast Free Bonus Time is Running Out!


    im


    N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    Chap 72

 Redmption 72

    Redmption 72


    I turned around only to see Chris standing right there. He looked at me as well,


    but he turned to ask Kara, ¡°Where are you going?¡±


    ¡°Maddie got ulcers, so I¡¯m going to buy some medicine for her,¡± Kara said. Chris immediately


    walked over quickly.


    ¡°You haven¡¯t been drinking enough water again, right?¡± he said, knowing me too well. I got


    dehydrated very easily and usually stuck to eating soupy foods and drank as much water as I


    could.


    If I didn¡¯t, I would get dehydrated and either get tons of nosebleeds or ulcers.


    I had been with him for ten years, and he still knew me well enough to know


    that much.


    However, his words acted like a dagger to me. I couldn¡¯t help but think about how he told Derick he


    felt like we were ¡°too close¡°.


    We knew each other so well that he no longer had any interest in me and could be seduced by a


    widow.


    ¡°Is there a reason you¡¯re here, Mr. Gildon?¡± I didn¡¯t reply to his question. Instead, I spoke to him in


    as cold and formal of a tone as I could.


    Chris¡® expression immediately darkened at my aloof response. He was about to say something


    when he saw Brandon standing behind me, so he said, ¡± Come here. I have something to tell you.¡±


    I didn¡¯t know what he wanted to say, but whether it was private or business- rted, it wasn¡¯t


    appropriate to say it in front of Brandon, I walked a few feet away from Brandon to talk to Chris.


    I stopped before we got too far and said, I¡¯m working on a tight deadline. Please say what you have


    to say.¡±


    He stopped walking. His youthful features were tinged with a hint of distaste. You¡¯re trying to make


    me angry on purpose to get revenge, right?¡±


    ¡°What?¡± His question was so unexpected that I couldn¡¯t understand what he meant.


    ¡°Maddie, I don¡¯t care that you made a fuss about not wanting to get married. If you want to try and


    piss me off by hooking up with some guy, whatever, but don¡¯t go fishing in our friend group. You¡¯re


    just going to ruin friendships that way.¡± He was saying too much for me to keep up at once.


    After a brief moment, I finally understood what he was trying to say. Hisst sentence clued me in


    that he was talking about Derick.


    I guessed that someone had told him about Derick stopping by. I just never expected he would


    assume Derick and I would get together.


    He was clearly projecting his own twisted ideals onto others. I felt my face turning warm with anger.


    ¡°Chris, do you really think everyone would do what you did?¡±


    He didn¡¯t seem to understand me. His pretty almond eyes narrowed slightly as I scoffed. ¡°You know,


    not everyone would get together with their good friend¡¯s partner.¡±


    His expression immediately soured. ¡°Maddie, I told you that Jewel and I aren¡¯t


    like that.¡±


    I no longer wanted to waste time arguing over such a thing. ¡°I don¡¯t care. That has nothing to do


    with me.¡±


    ¡°Tell me the truth, Maddie. Are you bored of me? Is that why you keep hanging) on to this tiny


    thing?¡± Chris said, projecting once again.


    ¡°Go ahead and think whatever you want. You once said we knew each other so well that you lost


    interest, right?¡± It wasn¡¯t my first time bringing that up.


    After all, that particr dagger had pierced me too deeply.


    Chris clenched his fists. ¡°What are you trying to do?¡±


    ¡°I just want us to stay separated now that we broke up. Don¡¯t hang on to the past, Mr. Gildon.


    Deleting messages? Asking me about the guys I¡¯m talking to? Come on,¡± I said straightforwardly.


    I had never talked to Chris like that before. In the years we spent together, all I did was go along


    with whatever he wanted like the perfect girlfriend.


    He probably didn¡¯t expect me to be so sharp and cold with him. His expression was extremely dark.


    ¡°Madeline, do you really think I¡¯m still hung up on you?¡±


    ¡°Of course not. You have money and looks. I bet women are lining up around the block to be with


    you. Why would you be hung up on anyone?¡± I said mockingly.


    However, the moment I finished speaking, he suddenly stepped closer to me. Since you admit all


    those things about me, then why are you hanging onto this tiny mistake I made?¡±


    N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    Tiny mistake?


    Just like Jewel, he genuinely felt that he wasn¡¯t in the wrong.


    I was beginning to feel more and more determined that I had been right not to drag things along.


    His words also opened my eyes to the fact that he had only gone so far with Jewel because he had


    taken my feelings for granted. He thought that I would never leave him.

 Redmption 73

    Redmption 73


    It seemed like it was time to tell him what I really thought.


    ¡°Chris, what you think is a small mistake is something I can¡¯t stand. After so many years together,


    you should know how much I hate sharing,¡± I said as I stepped aside and put even more distance


    between us.


    ¡°We don¡¯t have to be dramatically in love, but I can never ept my partner flirting with others, not


    even a little bit. If I¡¯m dating you, then I want all of you.¡± I turned, wanting to see Chris¡® expression.


    However, I identally met Brandon¡¯s gaze. We were only a few steps away from each other. He


    seemed to have also heard what I had said.


    Our gazes only met for a second before I looked away and back at Chris. His gaze was full of


    impatience as he said, ¡°Madeline, you should know that sort of thing only exists in fairy tales, not


    our modern society. Stop trying to live out your dreams.¡±


    He was right. Temptation was everywhere nowadays, and everything was faster, like cars,


    communication, and even rtionships.


    I smiled mildly. ¡°If that doesn¡¯t exist, then I won¡¯t start at all. I¡¯m not going to settle.¡®


    Chris was left speechless by my determination. I looked at him and said, ¡±


    Chris, I hope this is thest time we¡¯re going to talk about such things. Let¡¯s go our own ways after


    splitting up. You should know how to leave the past behind you.¡±


    Chris scoffed coldly and said, ¡°Sure. Let¡¯s go our own ways. I¡¯d like to see what kind of guy you¡¯re


    going to move on to next.¡±


    After that, he turned around and left angrily.


    I couldn¡¯t help but feel like he was extremely childish. He was really acting like


    a child. If he was more mature, he wouldn¡¯t being back to me so often after we already broke


    up.


    Kara returned with the medicine and asked me quietly, ¡°I see you and Chris have argued again. He


    was angrier than a bear with a sore head!¡±


    She really was used to making jokes. I took the medicine from her and opened it as I said, ¡°I¡¯ve


    never seen a bear with a sore head. Why don¡¯t you give me an example of what that looks like?¡±


    ¡°Come on, Maddie.¡± Kara nudged me lightly. ¡°Did hee here to ask to get back together with


    you? Why don¡¯t you give him another chance? He must still love you, or he wouldn¡¯t-¡±


    ¡°Allow me to do it.¡±


    Suddenly, Brandon came over and cut Kara off. He reached out and took the medicine from me,


    opening it swiftly with hisrge hands.


    ¡°Ms. Spraggins, my markers have run out of ink. Please go and get me a ck and a red marker,¡±


    he said as he opened the medicine.


    ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll be right back,¡± she said. She didn¡¯t dare to take her idol¨Csh- benefactor¡¯s words


    lightly.


    He was done removing the packaging of the medicine by the time she left, but instead of passing it


    to me, he turned and gave it a quick spray into midair before looking at me. ¡°Open up.¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s fine. I can do it myself.¡± I knew what he wanted to do and turned him down, reaching out for


    the spray bottle.


    He lifted it up high to a point that I couldn¡¯t reach even if I jumped.


    I sighed. I had lost to the man in front of me yet again.


    ¡°Are you going to be able to look into your own mouth?¡± he asked.


    I was stunned by his question and fell silent. He said, ¡°I¡¯m just applying medicine for you because I


    want you to get better soon for the sake of our progress. There¡¯s no need to feel ashamed, right,


    Ms. Crown?¡±


    He sounded like he was using me of holding something against him if I didn¡¯t let him help me.


    All I could do was open my mouth and let him help.


    The cold feeling of the spray in my mouth caused me to shudder. The very next moment, hisrge


    hand mped down on my shoulder and pulled me closer to him.


    Since I was looking up, all I could see was the sky. The sun was shining ufortably into my


    eyes, so I narrowed them slightly while letting Brandon. hold on to me as he resprayed the


    antiseptic.


    N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    For some reason, I felt floaty and disconnected while my eyes were closed. I suddenly remembered


    that I could have looked into a mirror to see my own ulcers.


    However, it was toote to say anything now.

 Redmption 74

    Redmption 74


    The medicated spray worked well. The burning pain


    almost immediately.


    in my mouth was relieved.


    During lunch, I felt much more at ease while drinking water.


    However, I still didn¡¯t dare to eat any food. There was salt, spices, and other ingredients in the food


    which would definitely make my ulcers hurt again.


    ¡°Let¡¯s order some risotto, Maddie. We can just order some steamed broli on the side,¡± Kara said,


    trying toe up with things I could eat.


    I knew that she had to have meat with every meal, so I said, ¡°I¡¯ll be okay with just the risotto, but


    order whatever you like.¡±


    Kara was about to say something when Brandon walked over and asked, ¡°Can I leech off you guys


    for lunch today?¡±


    It was really strange to see such a strong, independent man use a term like leech off¡°. However, I


    was still going to turn him down. After all, I still felt awkward about him helping me with the


    medicine, no matter how casual he, seemed about it.


    Before I could speak, Kara nodded enthusiastically like the fangirl she was. Okay! What do you


    want for lunch?¡±


    ¡°I¡­¡± he trailed off as he looked at me. ¡°I¡¯ll have the same thing as Ms. Crown.¡±


    Kara widened her eyes. ¡°Only risotto? What about other sides?¡±


    ¡°I need something easy on the mouth and not too vorful,¡± he said as he pointed at his mouth. ¡°I


    haven¡¯t been drinking much water recently either.¡±


    That was true.


    All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    ¡°So, you¡¯re dehydrated too,¡± Kara observed. She then muttered to herself, ¡°I¡¯m the only one who


    feels fine. That really makes me seem like a cker.¡±


    The three of us ended up ordering risotto, sd on the side and some grilled fish.


    ¡°Mr. Howell, are you sure this is enough? You don¡¯t have to be shy,¡± Kara said even after


    completing our orders.


    art


    ¡°Yes.¡± Brandon was a man of few words.


    After the few days we had spent working together, I came to notice that he spent most of his time


    doing, not talking.


    ¡°Maddie, should we order a couple more things? Mr. Howell doesn¡¯t look like someone who eats


    that little,¡± Kara said while Brandon was somewhere else. My mouth was already ufortable and


    I didn¡¯t feel like eating much. I did my best to keep my answer short and sweet. ¡°He¡¯s the lean type,


    not a bulker.¡±


    Right after saying that, the image of Brandon washing his hair while wearing a tank top surfaced in


    my mind. His lean muscles were really something.


    I


    ¡°I think he¡¯s pretty lean too, but I just never get the chance to see for myself,¡± Kara said, her gaze


    glinting as if she wished she could see through Brandon¡¯s clothes.


    I


    didn¡¯t know what to say to such a lustful youngdy. ¡°Well, the opportunity is there for you to take.


    You could always go up there and rip his shirt off. You¡¯d be able to get a good look then.¡±


    ¡°Maddie!¡± Kara said, embarrassed. I thought she would keep quiet after that, but she piped up again


    and said, ¡°Maddie, I think Mr. Howell has feelings for you.¡±


    I choked on a mouthful of water.


    ¡°I¡¯m serious, Maddie! He looks at you a certain way. He¡¯s also so easily physical with you,¡± Kara


    said before reaching out and attempting to hold my chin like he had.


    I swatted her hand away. ¡°Are you ready to say goodbye to your bonus?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s lunchtime! We¡¯re on break,¡± Kara said matter¨Cof¨Cfactly.


    ¡°Maddie, maybe you should really give it a try with Mr. Howell. It would be a good way to piss Mr.


    Gildon off.¡± Kara was really a rich spring of wild ideas.


    I let out a chuckle. ¡°I thought you liked Brandon.¡±


    ¡°He doesn¡¯t like me, though!¡± Kara said reasonably. ¡°Apart from the fact that he isn¡¯t a CEO, he¡¯s


    better than Mr. Gildon in every aspect.¡±


    She really had good taste.


    3/3


    ¡°Maddie, if you¡¯re shy about it, I can be your matchmaker!¡± Kara said boldly.


    I wanted to


    Did Brandon and I seem like that good of a match?


    ¡°I¡¯ll go and ask him right now!¡± Kara leaped up, ready to find him like the go- getter she was.


    I grabbed her and made her sit down. ¡°Sit down! No more talking about this, okay? We¡¯re never


    going to be an item.¡±


    ¡°Why not?¡± Kara couldn¡¯t understand. ¡°Is he not your type?¡±


    In order to stop Kara from doing anything crazy and making things between Brandon and me even


    more awkward, I nodded.


    ¡°You¡¯re not that shallow, Maddie. Mr. Howell just isn¡¯t as rich as Mr. Gildon, that¡¯s all.¡± Kara was still


    trying to change my mind.


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    Redmption 75


    I said something to make her give uppletely. ¡°Well, what can I say? I¡¯m a material girl. Even if


    he looks like Adonis himself, if he¡¯s not rich, he¡¯s not my type.¡±


    Brandon looked over right as I finished that sentence. He seemed to have heard me.


    didn¡¯t avoid his gaze. After all, a rtionship was impossible between us. It was good for him to


    quickly get rid of any ideas he was having.


    I wasn¡¯t stupid. His ¡°idental¡± touches and the medicine he had helped spray for me earlier today


    were clear signs that he at least found me attractive.


    ¡°You¡¯re so shallow, Maddie,¡± Kara said exasperatedly.


    I didn¡¯t reply, and I didn¡¯t look at Brandon again.


    Kara¡¯s phone rang. She looked at the caller ID and said, ¡°It¡¯s Mr. Yates.¡±


    Gordon?


    ¡°Yes. Yes, hi. We¡¯re at the parent¨Cchildren area in Zone A of the amusement park. Is there


    something you need?¡± Kara answered.


    She paused and then continued, ¡°Okay. See you soon,¡± Kara said before hanging up and looking at


    me. ¡°Mr. Yates said he¡¯s here to talk to you.¡±


    Gordon was looking for me?


    I didn¡¯t know what he could possibly have to talk to me about. It wasn¡¯t going


    to be about Chris again, was it?


    On second thought, I had just told Chris to leave me alone this morning. So, he probably wouldn¡¯t


    be foolish enough to ask Gordon to find me so soon.


    Soon enough, Gordon arrived with a thermos for me. ¡°Ms. Crown, this is from Mrs. Gildon. It¡¯s some


    anti¨Cinmmatory tea.¡±


    Bree?


    We were no longer in contact, so there was no way she would have known that I was dehydrated


    unless Chris had told her.


    If Chris was the one who had it sent to me, I would have asked Gordon to take it away, but I


    couldn¡¯t do that since Bree was the one who had made it.


    ¡°Alright, thank you!¡± I said as I took it from him.


    Gordon didn¡¯t leave immediately. He seemed to have something to say. I knew he felt bad about


    bringing me to Dazzle Residences, so I said, ¡°Don¡¯t think too much about things, Mr. Yates.¡±


    N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.


    ¡°Ms. Crown, 1-¡±


    ¡°It has nothing to do with you. If you keep making more problems for yourself, I won¡¯t be able to


    help you.¡±


    I believed that I had made myself clear enough, so all Gordon could say in reply was, ¡°Please make


    sure you drink the tea Ms. Crown. It¡¯s particrly effective.¡±


    As he walked away, Kara cockily said, ¡°Maddie, I bet Mr. Gildon was the one who wanted to send


    it.¡±


    I knew that well enough.


    ¡°He¡¯s clearly not ready to let you go. I bet he wants to keep you on his roster,¡± Kara said cleverly.


    I smiled bitterly. He couldn¡¯t always get what he wanted.


    Our lunch still wasn¡¯t here yet, so I decided to have some tea. I called out to Brandon, ¡°Do you want


    some?¡±


    ¡°No, thank you.¡± His reply was firm.


    I didn¡¯t press any further. I shared some with Kara, but before we were done with our mugs of tea,


    Kara elbowed me again. ¡°Maddie! Herees another fine specimen!¡±


    I was no longer surprised by her little outbursts, but I still looked at where she was pointing.


    I was taken aback by who I was. It was Conrad.


    He smiled at me brightly. His smile was as bright as the warm afternoon sun. Are you really okay


    with just having tea for lunch?¡±


    As he spoke, I noticed that he was holding a lunchbox. ¡°My mom made some


    ravioli. It has your favorite filling.¡±


    ¡°Why did Mrs. Gildon have to have the tea and ravioli sent separately?¡± Not only was Kara not the


    sharpest tool in the shed sometimes, but she spoke faster than her mind could keep up.


    Conrad didn¡¯t understand. ¡°What?¡±


    I finally understood that the tea wasn¡¯t from Bree at all. Chris had made Gordon


    lie to me.


    He was probably afraid that I would throw it away if I knew that it was from him. ¡°Nothing. I was


    craving some ravioli, actually,¡± I said as I took the lunchbox from him and opened it. Immediately,


    the savory smell of ravioli entered my


    nose.


    Even though my mouth was still aching, I really craved it. I picked one up and put it into my mouth.


    The filling made my ulcers smart painfully, and the grease from the ravioli leaked out from the side


    of my mouth.


    Conrad reached out and wiped the corner of my mouth with his thumb.


    Brandon¡¯s cold and deep voice suddenly rang out, ¡°Your ulcers haven¡¯t healed yet, and you didn¡¯t


    even wash your hands. Do you want your ulcers to stay forever?¡±

 Redmption 76

    Redmption 76


    I hadn¡¯t washed my hands, and neither had Conrad


    I was fine with that, but I could see that Conrad was embarrassed.


    ¡°A little dirt won¡¯t hurt,¡± I said to ease the awkwardness.


    Brandon walked over, holding some wet wipes.


    N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    Conrad tried to take them, but Brandon didn¡¯t let go. I ended up taking them before handing one to


    Conrad and using another to wipe my hands.


    ¡°Maddie, who¡¯s this?¡± Conrad was curious about the imposing and unfriendly


    Brandon.


    ¡°This is Brandon Howell. He¡¯s the lighting technician,¡± I introduced Brandon.


    Brandon¡¯s gaze bore into me, prompting me to introduce Conrad as well. ¡°This is my¡­ brother,


    Conrad.¡±


    ¡°Hello,¡± Conrad said, extending his hand to Brandon.


    But Brandon nodded, and Kara quickly said, ¡°Mr. Howell has germophobia.¡±


    Conrad smiled slightly, withdrew his hand, and looked at me. ¡°Let¡¯s sit down and eat. It won¡¯t taste


    good if it gets cold.¡±


    Kara licked her lips. ¡°Can I have one?¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± Conrad said. Then, he offered some to Brandon, saying, ¡°Mr. Howell, please try some


    too.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be having risotto,¡± Brandon declined and walked away.


    Kara paused mid¨Cbite of her food and then looked at me. ¡°Maddie, why do I feel like Mr. Howell is


    suffering from premenstrual syndrome?¡±


    I gave her a thumbs up. ¡°You¡¯re spot on.¡±


    Conrad chuckled at our exchange and then said, ¡°Mr. Howell has quite a temper.¡±


    ¡°Not usually. He was fine before, a bit aloof but not hostile. Today he seems on edge, like he ate a


    bowl of chili peppers.¡± Kara¡¯s mouth ran even as she ate.


    Chapter/b


    Fortunately, the food we ordered arrived. After eating the risotto and sd, I didn¡¯t eat any more of


    the food we had ordered, leaving the rest for Kara and


    Brandon to finish.


    Kara was happy to eat with Brandon, but he told her to eat first while he went.


    back to work.


    I could see Kara¡¯s disappointment at being stood up. It was honestly quite


    amusing.


    ¡°You seem happy. I was worried you might be upset.¡± Conrad¡¯s words brought my attention back.


    ¡°Why would I be upset?¡± I asked as I ate. ¡°I¡¯m not one to go crazy over love. When I¡¯m in love, that


    person will be my whole world. When the love is gone, they¡¯re nothing to me.¡±


    Conrad nodded. ¡°Bravo, that¡¯s my girl!¡±


    ¡°How are Bree and Zack?¡± I probed cautiously.


    It was strange that they hadn¡¯t called. Had they epted that Chris and I were over? I felt it wasn¡¯t


    that simple.


    Conrad looked at me, smiling faintly. ¡°What do you think?¡±


    I paused while eating. Conrad continued, ¡°They still think that you and Chris are! inseparable. They


    assume that the both of you are just upset with each other. for now. So they¡¯ve decided to give you


    both some time to sort things out.¡±


    So, that was it.


    The risotto in my mouth lost their vor as I swallowed. If that was the case, was going to have to


    disappoint them, then.


    ¡°Maybe with time, they¡¯ll be able to ept it. Don¡¯t feel pressured,¡± Conrad reassured me.


    I wasn¡¯t feeling pressured, just indebted to them. They had raised me, after all.


    ¡°They treat you as their daughter and can¡¯t bear the thought of you leaving home,¡± Conrad said


    softly.


    ¡°Daughters will inevitably marry, but that doesn¡¯t mean that they can¡¯t return home anymore,¡± I


    said..


    Choose 76


    When I looked up, 1 saw Conrad¡¯s gaze. something. He smiled at me as he said, you¡¯ll never have


    to leave home.¡±


    That was impossible now.


    3/3


    When I looked up,1 saw Conrad¡¯s gaze. His eyes seemed to sparkle with something. He smiled at


    me as he said, ¡°But if you marry into the Gildon family, you¡¯ll never have to leave home.¡±


    That was impossible now.

 Redmption 77

    Redmption 77


    I just smiled. ¡°In the next life, I wish to be reborn as their daughter. Then¡­ we¡¯ll be siblings.¡±


    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    Conrad¡¯s smile froze for a moment, then he gestured towards the risotto. ¡°Your should eat more.


    You¡¯ve gotten thinner.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡± I started to focus on eating the food.


    Conrad kept watching me. I stopped eating only when I couldn¡¯t manage


    another bite. Then, I took a few sips of the anti¨Cinmmatory tea.


    ¡°Chris still cares about you. He made some anti¨Cinmmatory tea for you and sent that using


    Mom¡¯s name,¡± Conrad said.


    I smirked. ¡°Late affection is worthless.


    The pain in my mouth dulled my appetite. I packed up the leftover food and said, ¡°Conrad, thanks


    foring. Tell Bree and Zack that I¡¯ll visit once I¡¯m done! with work.¡±


    I pointed to the amusement park. ¡°There¡¯s less than a month left before it¡¯s done. The lighting isn¡¯t


    even set up yet, so I¡¯m actually really busy.¡±


    ¡°Chris mentioned that too, but you still need to take care of yourself,¡± Conrad¡® urged.


    ¡°Okay, I know.¡± I pointed at Brandon, who was working in the distance. ¡°I have to get back to work


    now.¡±


    ¡°Alright, be careful,¡± Conrad reminded me again.


    Brandon had skipped lunch, and he barely spoke to me all afternoon. It felt like he was angry. But I


    couldn¡¯t figure out what I had done to offend him.


    Over the next few days, Brandon was colder and more silent than usual, only. focusing on work.


    This was fine by me, and I cooperated fully. The only difference was that wer now had regr


    breaks for water and rest. I wasn¡¯t sure if he did this for himself or me.


    By the end of the week, our progress was on track, but the future was still


    Chapt


    uncertain.


    The intense workload was exhausting.


    Kara was so tired that she couldn¡¯t even finish her favorite TV shows before falling asleep. But I


    couldn¡¯t afford that luxury.


    Every night, I had to review and summarize the day¡¯s lighting adjustments. I often didn¡¯t sleep until


    midnight orter.


    I


    I was exhausted. Whenever I felt I couldn¡¯t stay awake any longer, I¡¯d ssh my face and soak my


    feet in cold water until I was alert again.


    One night, just after I¡¯d done this, Brandon, who hardly ever spoke to me outside of work, sent me a


    message. ¡°Are you asleep? If you¡¯re not,e over. I need to discuss some issues regarding


    tomorrow¡¯s Technical Testing Zone.¡±


    If it had only been that question, I would¡¯ve ignored his message. But he mentioned work, so I


    replied immediately. ¡°On my way.¡±


    Fortunately, I was somewhat alert now. I took my notebook and knocked on his door.


    Brandon wore a military green T¨Cshirt and ck cotton pajama pants. Somehow, he seemed even


    taller like this, making me feel shorter inparison.


    His eyes focused on my face, and I noticed a brief flicker in them. But he didn¡¯t say anything, only


    stepped aside to let me in.


    I set down myputer and was about to open it when he turned his toward me. ¡°Can you check if


    these areas I¡¯ve marked differ from the blueprints?¡±


    Brandon had a hand¨Cdrawn blueprint next to him and an electronic version on hisputer. Both


    were consistent and matched mine.


    I was surprised he found discrepancies we had missed. Kara and I had gone over them multiple


    times.


    Thankfully, Brandon stumbled upon it now. If we hadn¡¯t found it until debugging, it would have been


    a waste of valuable time.


    ¡°I¡¯ll fix the issues now. I¡¯ll send you the others to continue cross¨Cchecking,¡± I said.


    Brandon ced a ss of water beside me and went back to his work. I focused on cross¨Cchecking


    on theputer, but my eyelids were getting heavier. I had to pinch my thigh several times to stay


    awake.


    Brandon, on the other hand, seemed energetic, as if he didn¡¯t need sleep at all.


    I could no longer keep my eyes open. When I was about to ask if we could continue in the morning,


    Brandon picked up his phone and stepped out onto the balcony. Then I heard him making a phone


    call.


    His voice was soothing, so much so that it made my eyelids even heavier.


    Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running a Out!

 Redmption 78

    Redmption 78


    When Brandon came out from the balcony, he saw me asleep at theputer. The dim yellow light


    cast a glow on my face, and his gaze lingered there.


    I could sense it but couldn¡¯t wake up.


    After a while, I heard him calling me softly, ¡°Mae¡­¡±


    Mae?


    Was he calling me?


    Yes, he was.


    Before I joined the Gildon family, I was called Mae, not Maddie.


    But it had been a long time since anyone called me that.


    ¡°Bran, my name is Mae¡­¡±


    A vision appeared before my eyes: a little girl with two buns on her head and a baby face sweetly


    calling a boy.


    The boy was aloof and didn¡¯t like to talk.


    Then, I became that girl, and Brandon became that boy. I piggybacking.on him.


    I


    was


    ¡°Bran, you smell nice.


    ¡°Bran, you¡¯ve got a tiny ck mole on the back of your neck. Let me get it off.¡±


    ¡°Mae, don¡¯t pinch. It hurts.


    ¡°Mae, I¡¯m tired. Can we stop running?¡±


    ¡°Mom, I like Bran. I want to marry him¡­¡±


    My parentsughed at me.


    ¡°Mom, Dad, stopughing. I want to marry Bran.¡±


    ¡°Mae, you can¡¯t marry him. You have a fianc¨¦¡­¡±


    N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.


    ¡°I won¡¯t marry him: He¡¯s a jerk. A jerk!¡±


    I woke up from the dream, breathing rapidly.


    This was so strange! I had a dream about Brandon and me when we were toddlers, probably only


    two years old.


    Lying in bed, I stared nkly for half a minute before getting up. As soon as my I wasn¡¯t my room.


    feet touched the ground, I knew something was wrong¡­ As soon as my


    My mind quickly shed back tost night. I shivered and looked at the bed I had slept in. But


    Brandon wasn¡¯t there.


    I looked down at my clothes. They were still on and intact.


    I breathed a sigh of relief and walked out spotting Brandon asleep on the sofa. True to his military


    background, even on the sofa, he slept neatly.


    My first thought was, was hefortable sleeping like that?


    Honestly, such an orderly person made me want to mess him up a bit. He wasn¡¯t awake. I watched


    him silently from a few steps away, then moved to myputer, picked it up quietly, and tiptoed


    out.


    I can¡¯t believe I slept herest night. Just thinking about it made me feel


    embarrassed.


    Luckily, I had taken my room key when I came outst night.


    When I sneaked back, Kara was still sound asleep. If she had been awake, she would be


    concocting all sorts of wild theories about this juicy piece of gossip.


    My phone showed it was 5.00 a.m.


    I knew I wouldn¡¯t be able to sleep again. So I opened myputer to continue working on the


    issues Brandon had found yesterday.


    But I discovered that Brandon had already checked and resolved all those issues.


    I stared nkly at the screen, then washed up and drank some water. I stood on the balcony to take


    in the scenery outside.


    Brandon¡¯s figure appeared in my sight. Was he awake already? When I left earlier, he was still


    asleep.


    Did I wake him when I opened the door? Or had he been awake, pretending to sleep to spare me


    the awkwardness?


    I stood on the upper floor watching him below, and my thoughts wandered. I had to admit that


    Brandon was affecting me. His influence on me was growing stronger.


    ¡°A man and a woman spend the night in the same house, but nothing happens. What do you think


    that means?¡±


    I sent this provocative text to Lisa first thing in the morning.

 Redmption 79

    Redmption 79


    Lisa wasn¡¯t going to reply anytime soon. I closed the chat and opened my social media feed.


    To my surprise, I saw a set of carefree photos posted by Derick. It wasn¡¯t only him, but others too.


    There was an image of several sses clinking together.


    I recognized one of the hands¨Cit was Chris¡¯s. Because on his finger was a cheap ring I had given


    him.


    The sight of that ring now made me cringe at my immaturity.


    It was a matching set; I had the other one. I bought them on my 18th birthday for 999 dors. I wore


    the women¡¯s style and gave him the men¡¯s. He teased me then about trying to tie him down.


    But he never wore it again. When I hinted at it, he said he was afraid people wouldugh at him.


    Laugh at how cheap it was.


    I understood what he meant. How could someone of his status wear a ring that cost just a few


    hundred dors? But it was bought with the first money I earned from tutoring.


    After that, I never mentioned the ring again, and he never wore it. Yet here, he was, wearing it in the


    photo.


    What did this mean?


    What was he trying to say?


    I didn¡¯t know, and I didn¡¯t want to guess.


    But the ring did hurt me. It evoked memories of my cautious, relentless pursuit of Chris, always


    looking up to him.


    Lisa¡¯s message interrupted my thoughts. ¡°Who did you sleep with?¡± Lisa wast very direct.


    I looked at this message without replying. My mind was still tangled from seeing the photo of Chris


    wearing that ring.


    ¡°Chris?¡± Lisa messaged again, then followed with, ¡°It can¡¯t be him.¡±


    Cheop


    ¡°Is it Brandon?¡± Lisa finally guessed Brandon.


    She knew my life and feelings too well, so it wasn¡¯t hard to figure out.


    ¡°Ack of intimacy between a single man and woman when alone suggests a potential problem with


    the man,¡± Lisa added.


    Did Brandon have issues?


    The image of Brandon¡¯s narrow waist and tight buttocks suddenly shed before my eyes. I


    instantly rejected Lisa¡¯s im. Brandon couldn¡¯t be impotent, so it must be mecking charm.


    Thinking about how I couldn¡¯t evenpete with a widow for Chris, I shook my head and ignored


    Lisa¡¯s message.


    ¡°Maddie, you weren¡¯t in bedst night. Where did you go? I messaged you but you didn¡¯t reply,¡±


    Kara asked as soon as she woke up to her rm.


    I was surprised she woke up in the middle of the night. She usually slept through anything, even an


    earthquake. N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    Feeling diffident, I avoided her eyes. ¡°I went for a run.¡±


    Kara¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Running in the middle of the night? Are you torturing yourself? Or are you


    horny thinking about men?¡±


    Her train of thought was ridiculous.


    ¡°Shut up!¡± I rolled my eyes at her.


    ¡°Why would you go for a run in the middle of the night?¡± Kara still found it unbelievable.


    I didn¡¯t answer her again. Instead, I changed clothes and reminded her to hurry downstairs as we


    had a new issue to address.


    She was such a curious cat. ¡°Maddie, you put in extra hours and it only led to issues. Maybe you


    should stop working overtime.¡±


    I was speechless.


    Kara followed me down to the cafeteria for breakfast. As soon as we arrived,


    we saw Brandon sitting there eating.


    ¡°Good morning, Mr. Howell!¡± Kara greeted him energetically.


    Brandon nodded slightly, ¡°Morning.¡±


    I avoided looking at him and tugged Kara to pick out breakfast, but she


    grabbed my bag instead. ¡°Maddie, I¡¯ll have the same as you. You pick. I¡¯ll save. us seats here.¡±


    I was struck dumb.


    Kara winked at me, wanting to spend more time with her crush, leaving me unable to argue.


    But I didn¡¯t want to sit with Brandon.


    Reluctantly, I was about to get my breakfast when Brandon spoke up. ¡°Ms. Spraggins, I can hold


    your ce, but it¡¯s best to take care of your own tasks.¡±

 Redmption 80

    Redmption 80


    How awkward!


    I felt embarrassed for Kara.


    She was embarrassed too, but had a knack for handling such situations. She shed a grin and


    said, ¡°Alright, Mr. Howell. Thank you.¡±


    Kara put down my bag and hurried over to me. She nudged me, pulling me forward. ¡°Is Mr. Howell


    having premenstrual syndrome again? He seems to be in a bad mood today.¡±


    I stayed silent. Kara sensed the harshness in Brandon¡¯s words, but I felt¡­ he was making Kara get


    her own food to avoid burdening me.


    Was he¡­ worried about me?


    I shuddered at the thought. I felt like I was bing increasingly narcissistic and overthinking


    things.


    0


    ¡°Let¡¯s sit separately,¡± I suggested to Kara after we got our food. After spending the night in his room,


    I didn¡¯t want to face Brandon.


    ¡°Why sit separately? Isn¡¯t it better to sit together? We can discuss today¡¯s ns.


    Kara countered with a work¨Crted excuse, leaving me unable to refute.


    But I saw through her. ¡°Your appetite improves just by looking at your crush.¡±


    ¡°Maddie, you know me so well!¡± Kara said with a mischievous grin.


    Realizing I couldn¡¯t avoid sitting with Brandon, I gave in. If I kept arguing, Kara would sense


    something was off and start guessing wildly.


    Her mind worked in unique ways, and she was smart.


    As we sat down with our meals, someone approached. ¡°Kara, is that you?¡±


    A pretty girl holding a breakfast tray.


    Kara stood up, looking delighted. ¡°ra, what are you doing here?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m on a business trip. It¡¯s been ages since we¡¯ve seen each other. Why don¡¯t we eat together?¡±


    The girl invited Kara.


    Kara nced at Brandon first, then at me, and said, ¡°Sure!¡± She picked up her tray, and nodded to


    us, before leaving with her old ssmate.


    Suddenly, it was just Brandon and me at the table. I was already ufortable, and now even


    more so.


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to feel awkward. Last night, you only slept in my bed. It¡¯s not like we¡­ slept


    together.¡± Brandon¡¯s words almost made me spit out the soup 1 had sipped.


    I covered my mouth, and he handed me a napkin.


    I locked eyes with him, then suddenly snatched the napkin from his hand and red at him.


    After wiping my mouth and trying to suppress the choking sensation, I leaned closer to him. I


    whispered, ¡°Why didn¡¯t you wake mest night?¡±


    ¡°I did, but you didn¡¯t wake up,¡± Brandon said casually, eating his breakfast.


    ¡°I don¡¯t believe you,¡± I replied. I¡¯ve always been a light sleeper.


    ¡°Well, there¡¯s nothing I can do about that I did try to wake you.¡± Brandon had a


    take¨Cit¨Cor¨Cleave¨Cit look.


    I was fuming. The thought that he must have carried me to his bed made me feel mortified to the


    core. ¡°Even if I didn¡¯t wake up, you could have taken me back to my room.¡±


    ¡°Alright, next time I¡¯ll do that.¡± Brandon¡¯s response caught me off guard.


    Next time?


    Not a chance! There won¡¯t be a next time.


    I bit into my poppyseed bagel angrily. After a couple of bites, I remembered something and warned


    him. ¡°Don¡¯t let Kara know aboutst night.¡±


    Brandon had already finished his meal. He grabbed a napkin and wiped the corner of his mouth.


    ¡°What are you afraid of? Are you worried she¡¯ll misunderstand that there¡¯s something between us?


    Are you concerned about your reputation? Or maybe¡­ you¡¯re afraid your boyfriends will find out


    N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    Chopper 80


    His words caught me by surprise again. ¡°What did you say?¡±


    ¡°Ms. Crown, if anyone should be worried, it¡¯s me,¡± Brandon said as he folded


    the napkin into a neat square.


    ¡°What are you worried about, huh?¡± I was both confused and angry.


    Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out!

 Redmption 81

    Redmption 81


    ¡°Ms. Crown, you might not know this, but I¡¯ve never been in a rtionship. My reputation is


    spotless, unlike yours. You have an ex¨Cfianc¨¦ and that ambiguous head¨Cpatting guy. Oh, and


    there¡¯s that brother, Brandon said. He looked at me, speaking slowly and deliberately.


    I wanted to retort. But before I could say anything, he lowered his eyes and continued. ¡°So I¡¯m the


    one who should be afraid. If word gets out that we slept togetherst night, people will think I¡¯m not


    chaste.¡±


    ¡°Are you saying that I¡¯ve defiled your honor?¡± I blurted out, angry.


    ¡°Not at all. You were quite well¨Cbehavedst night. You didn¡¯t make any improper moves on me.¡±


    Brandon¡¯s tone made him sound like a victimized maiden wronged by me, the ruffian.


    What a piece of work!


    This man was infuriating, but I couldn¡¯t express this anger. I could only vent my frustration on the


    poppyseed bagel.


    ¡°If Mr. Howell wants to stay honorable, it¡¯s best to stay away from me.¡± I finally found aeback


    after finishing the bagel.


    ¡°That¡¯s impossible unless we stop working together.¡± Brandon put down the napkin and stood up.


    I was speechless.


    When I finished breakfast, Kara had finished hers too. She bid farewell to her friend, promising to


    call ahead the next time she visited Hilcord so they could have a proper get¨Ctogether.


    As soon as her friend got in the car, Kara turned to me. ¡°Maddie, what were you talking about with


    Mr. Howell? He was talking the whole time.¡±


    I was exasperated. This girl was distracted, with her heart elsewhere. She was having a meal with


    her friend, but her eyes were on us the whole time.


    ¡°Nothing much,¡± I replied curtly to avoid any further questions from Kara.


    She blinked, unconvinced. I added, ¡°It was about work. We might have to work


    21


    longer hours in the future.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Kara¡¯s smile turned into a frown instantly. ¡°How heartless and inconsiderate Mr. Howell is!


    He doesn¡¯t have an ounce ofpassion.¡±


    I didn¡¯t say anything and headed to the amusement park with her. But Brandon hadn¡¯t arrived yet.


    When we stopped the car, Brandon arrived on his bicycle.


    ¡°Maddie, does Mr. Howell rent a bicycle every day? I didn¡¯t expect there were still men willing to ride


    this nowadays.¡± Kara was shocked, and I was surprised


    too.


    I thought he took a cab or used the subway or bus every day. I didn¡¯t expect him to ride a rental


    bike.


    ¡°Mr. Howell, don¡¯t ride this anymore. Come with us from now on. Maddie¡¯s car has enough space,¡±


    Kara said, taking liberties as if she were in charge.


    I was about to say something when Brandon looked at me. ¡°Alright, that¡¯s kind of you, Ms. Crown.¡±


    I was speechless.


    He had been getting under my skin all morning, and I was beyond annoyed.


    I directed my frustration at Kara. ¡°Kara, shouldn¡¯t you ask me first before deciding something like


    that?¡±


    Kara noticed I was unhappy. ¡°Maddie, I¡¯m trying to be efficient and ensure safety. Mr. Howell is new


    around here, and riding a bicycle is dangerous. If something happened, how would we finish the job


    on time?¡±


    I was lost for words again.


    ¡°Maddie, I promise I¡¯ll ask you first next time.¡± Kara hugged me, trying to appease me.


    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    Resigned, I tapped her head with my finger. ¡°You¡¯re responsible for all the errands today.¡±


    ¡°Sure thing, Maddie. I¡¯ve got good stamina for it,¡± Kara replied, cheerful and resilient like always.


    ¡°Then today, you¡¯ll work with Mr. Howell, and I¡¯ll handle things on the other side


    Chapter


    with Mr. Lachy.¡± I didn¡¯t want to face Brandon today.


    But as soon as I got to Mr. Lachy¡¯s side, got a call from Kara. ¡°Maddie, we¡¯re


    done here.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± I asked, puzzled..


    ¡°Mr. Howell said to take the day off.¡± Kara¡¯s reply made my temper re.


    Act Fast Free Bonus Time is Running Out!

 Redmption 82

    Redmption 82


    ¡°What¡¯s going on? Why are we taking a break?¡±


    I rushed over to Brandon, demanding answers.


    ¡°Two days off a week is mandated by the government. Given our tight schedule, taking one day off


    shouldn¡¯t be a problem, right?¡± Brandon¡¯s question. left me speechless.


    I tried to keep my anger in check. ¡°Mr. Howell, you¡¯re right, but we¡¯re on a tight. deadline. I¡¯ve


    already said we have a final deadline. Can we postpone the break. and focus on meeting the


    deadline first? I can pay you extra for the overtime.¡±


    Brandon looked at me intently. ¡°It¡¯s not about money. We aren¡¯t machines, we need regr rest.


    Besides, rest is essential for better work performance.


    I knew he had a point, but our situation was special.


    I took a deep breath and tried to adjust my tone. ¡°Mr. Howell, is it absolutely necessary to take a


    break today?


    ¡°Yes,¡± Brandon said firmly, and I turned to leave.


    Then he added, ¡°You all need to rest today too.¡±


    I was enraged. I turned to look at him. ¡°Mr. Howell, it¡¯s enough that you rest. Don¡¯t worry about us.¡±


    Kara, who was watching from the side, stifled augh. Yet Brandon remained calm. ¡°Ms. Crown, if


    you don¡¯t rest well, you can¡¯t work well either, just likest night-¡±


    ¡°Brandon!¡± I cut him off, my palms sweating.


    This jerk was really pushing it. I¡¯d just told him not to mentionst night, and he almost did.


    I stared at him and finally gave in under his steady gaze. ¡°Fine, we¡¯ll rest. We¡¯ll take a break too.¡±


    ¡°Kara, let¡¯s go!¡± I called Kara.


    Ms. Crown,¡± Brandon called after me, ¡°I need your help today.¡±


    The anger in my chest was building up, ready to explode at any moment. I gritted my teeth. ¡°What


    now, Mr. Howell? Do you need a massage or a back rub on your day off?¡±


    ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary. I need to buy some things and I need Ms. Crown to guide me,¡± Brandon


    said casually.


    I almostughed. ¡°Fine, have Ms. Spraggins apany you-¡±


    ¡°I want Ms. Crown to go with me!¡± Brandon interrupted.


    Kara, who had been holding back, finally couldn¡¯t help butugh out loud.


    This made meugh too. Where was the aloof and stoic Brandon now? He was acting like a three¨C


    year¨Cold, so childish and immature.


    ¡°Mr. Howell, you¡¯re not a child. Don¡¯t you think this is too¡­ much?¡± I teased.


    Brandon wasn¡¯t embarrassed at all. ¡°I¡¯m unfamiliar with this ce. What¡¯s wrong with you helping


    me? Besides, you previously-¡±


    ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll go!¡± I interrupted him again because I knew what he was about to say.


    If I refused, he¡¯d bring up the Amaty incident, and I couldn¡¯t let Kara know about


    that.


    ¡°Can Ie along?¡± Kara would not want to miss this opportunity.


    ¡°Sure!¡±


    ¡°No!¡±


    Brandon and I spoke at the same time, me agreeing and him refusing.


    Kara looked at me, then at him, confused. Brandon spoke up, ¡°It wouldn¡¯t be convenient for Ms.


    Spraggins toe along. Am I right, Ms. Crown?¡±


    He was putting the ball in my court again.


    Seeing his look, I knew if I insisted on bringing Kara, he¡¯d mention the past.


    Indeed, one couldn¡¯t tell a lie, for a single lie required a hundred more to


    sustain it.


    Finally, I turned to Kara. ¡°It¡¯s your day off. Why don¡¯t you spend it with your boyfriend? He must miss


    you too.¡±


    Kara red at me, upset that I mentioned her boyfriend in front of Brandon.


    N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    I ignored her. Brandon¡¯s stern gaze forbade her froming any closer. Finally, she left reluctantly,


    looking back every few steps.


    I was certain she had be suspicious about my rtionship with Brandon. That was something


    to deal withter.


    For now, I had to handle the man in front of me.

 Redmption 83

    Redmption 83


    ¡°Brandon, what do you mean? Are you using our rtionship andst night¡¯s incident to ckmail


    me?¡± I confronted him.


    ¡°No,¡± he said without daring to look me in the eye.


    That was a clear sign of diffidence. I clenched my fists, feeling the urge to punch him.


    ¡°I¡¯m not familiar with everything here. Can¡¯t you help me out? I¡¯ve helped your before too,¡± Brandon


    said meekly.


    It felt like if I didn¡¯t help him, I¡¯d be ungrateful.


    Indeed, debts whether they were mary or favors, must be repaid.


    All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    I sighed. ¡°Alright, Mr. Howell. Where do you want to go today? What do your want to buy? Tell me


    so I can take you.¡±


    ¡°I want to look at some houses,¡± he said, catching me off guard.


    9


    I stared at him. ¡°Houses? Aren¡¯t you going back after finishing your work here?¡±


    ¡°I might not go back, so I¡¯m looking in advance.¡± Brandon¡¯s words choked me


    1. up.


    I didn¡¯t understand why I felt this way, but it was strange.


    ¡°Yourpany isn¡¯t even here.¡± I reminded him.


    ¡°I can quit!¡±


    I was speechless.


    ¡°Oh, and I¡¯m not buying a house. I¡¯m renting. I¡¯m broke and can¡¯t afford to buy.¡± Brandon had no


    shame in exposing his financial situation.


    This was rare. These days, many men put on a front, buying luxury cars and watches on credit to


    keep up appearances. But Brandon openly admitted he was broke.


    ¡°And you still want to quit your job?¡± I mumbled.


    He didn¡¯t respond, as if he hadn¡¯t heard me.


    Maybe it was his admission of being broke that made me feel pity for him. I ended up driving him to


    the city center.


    ¡°This is downtown. The rent must be high,¡± he remarked.


    ¡°It¡¯s cheaper in the suburbs, but it¡¯s far and inconvenient tomute. As an engineer, you¡¯ll


    probably work in the CBD area. Renting in the city center saves time,¡± I advised.


    He fell silent. Thinking about his poverty, I added, ¡°I can lend you money. You can pay me back


    when you have it.¡±


    ¡°Are you trying to be my sugar mama?¡± Brandon¡¯s unexpectedment caught me off guard and


    made me choke again.


    I red at him, thinking of his vague feelings for me and recalling that he had once considered


    marrying me.


    With a mocking smirk, I said, ¡°You¡¯re thinking too much. I, myself, longed for a


    sugar daddy to take care of me.¡±


    Brandon¡¯s face darkened slightly, I started the car. ¡°Let¡¯s go check out the


    suburbs then.¡±


    As soon as we arrived at the real estate agency in the suburbs, my phone rang before we could get


    out of the car.


    ¡°Hello¡­ What? Okay, I¡¯lle back right away.¡± I hung up and turned to


    Brandon. ¡°You go ahead and look by yourself. I have something to deal with.¡±


    Brandon didn¡¯t move. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡±


    I didn¡¯t hide it. ¡°The water pipes in my house are broken. I need to find


    someone to fix them.¡±


    The call had been from my downstairs neighbor, saying water was flooding into the hallway.


    ¡°I can fix it.¡± Brandon¡¯s words startled me


    I was about to say something when he added, ¡°If you dy any longer, the water might damage


    other people¡¯s houses. You might have to pay for their repairs.¡±


    He seemed to know everything. Without further ado, I drove him to my ce.


    As soon as we entered the hallway, we saw water gushing everywhere. Several people were


    gathered, pointing and talking.


    I over, took a quick look,


    Brandon got out of the car faster than I did. He walke


    and asked, ¡°Where¡¯s the main water valve?¡±


    A neighbor pointed to an iron te on the ground. ¡°It¡¯s under there, but it¡¯s all rusted. We can¡¯t twist


    it.¡±


    Before they finished speaking, Brandon had already lifted the cover. He turned to me. ¡°Which floor


    and unit is your apartment?¡±


    ¡°Fourth floor, east unit.¡±


    As soon as I finished speaking, I saw him kneel on the ground. Lying t on the ground, he


    stretched out his arm, and forcefully turned the rusty valve.

 Redmption 84

    Redmption 84


    ¡°It won¡¯t budge!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s been rusted for years.¡±


    ¡°The ground¡¯s been hardened and raised, so the valve¡¯s buried deep.¡±


    All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    The onlookersmented, but my eyes were fixed on Brandon.


    I didn¡¯t expect him to lie down on the ground. As he exerted force, the veins on his temples and


    arms bulged with effort, exuding sheer strength.


    it even


    so, the valve wouldn¡¯t turn. I could see his face starting to turn red from the effort.


    ¡°Give it up, young man. Don¡¯t waste your energy. Several strong men have, already tried.¡± A kind


    elderlydy advised, seeing Brandon¡¯s struggle.


    I also felt sorry for him. ¡°Brandon, maybe we should leave it. I¡¯ll get someone to fix it.¡±


    As soon as I said this, I saw the tense Brandon suddenly rx. He said, ¡°It¡¯s done.¡±


    He got up from the ground, nimbly brushing the dirt off. ¡°Let¡¯s go upstairs and take a look.¡±


    Water was still streaming down the stairs. Our shoes would get wet if we went up now. ¡°Let¡¯s wait a


    bit until the water subsides a little.¡±


    Brandon nced at my shoes. ¡°I¡¯ll carry you on my back.¡±


    I widened my eyes instantly. ¡°No, no need.¡±


    My face turned red as I said it, aware that the onlookers were watching closely.


    Brandon¡¯s eyes met mine, seeming to understand. He said, ¡°I¡¯ll go up and handle it. Give me the


    keys.¡±


    As he spoke, he reached out and took the keys from my hand.


    When his fingers brushed mine, I felt a jolt, like an electric shock.


    It was something I¡¯d never had with Chris.


    Chris and I were probably too familiar with each other. We¡¯d been together. since we were kids, so


    holding hands or hugging wasmon. There was never that electric feeling of romance.


    At this moment, I seemed to understand what Chris had said to Derick.


    Brandon strode up the stairs, water sshing under his feet, making it look like he was walking on


    water.


    I stared at Brandon until a neighbordy asked, ¡°Miss, is that your boyfriend? He looks like a


    capable young man, very strong.¡±


    ¡°And he¡¯s not afraid of getting dirty, lying on the ground like that,¡± anotherdy chimed in.


    ¡°You don¡¯t see many young men like this nowadays. You¡¯re really lucky, miss.¡±


    My face grew hot, and something stirred in my heart.


    The water soon subsided, and I went upstairs. The door was open, and water was all over the floor.


    I lifted my pant legs and waded if, and found Brandon in the bathroom. He was working on the


    water valve. Seeing me, he exined, ¡°This part broke. It¡¯s probably due to corrosion from not


    being used for so long.¡±


    He was right. It hadn¡¯t been used in over ten years. How could it not corrode?


    I stayed silent. Brandon continued, ¡°The pipes in this house are all old and corroded. To avoid this


    happening again, it¡¯s best to rece them all.¡±


    ¡°That soundsplicated,¡± I said, surprised and a bit worried.


    ¡°It¡¯s not too bad,¡± Brandon said, already removing the broken pipe end. He looked at me.


    Seeing my wet shoes, he frowned and handed me the pipe fitting. ¡°Go buy six of these, a pipe


    wrench, 22 meters of PVC pipe, and four faucets¨Cone for the sink, one for the kitchen sink, and two


    regr ones.¡±


    I hesitated, and Brandon assumed I hadn¡¯t remembered. ¡°I¡¯ll text you the list. Just buy what I send


    you.¡±


    ¡°Brandon, maybe we should hire someone to do it.¡± I felt the project was tooplicated.

 Redmption 85

    Redmption 85


    For some reason, I didn¡¯t find theplex lighting at the amusement park. daunting. Now, this


    seemed messy and I didn¡¯t want to deal with it.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you trust me?¡± Brandon asked.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s just ¡°My gaze fell on him. His shirt was noticeably dirty, and his pants.


    were wet.


    Seeing him like this, I felt a pang of guilt:


    ¡°I¡¯ve got this. Go on,¡± he said, patting my head. ¡°Come on now.¡±


    I felt a tingle. Not long ago, Conrad had patted my head too, but it felt entirely


    N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    different with Brandon.


    I couldn¡¯t describe this feeling. But it was abination of warmth, sweetness, and a touch of


    sourness. I felt like something I had longed for, suddenly fulfilled.


    Unable to face Brandon¡¯s gaze, I quickly went to buy what he needed. When I returned, I saw


    Brandon mopping up the water in the hallway. Inside, the once- flooded floor was scrubbed clean


    and shining.


    While I was out buying supplies, he hadn¡¯t been idle.


    At that moment, seeing the house clean as if it had never been flooded, I suddenly felt a lump in my


    throat.


    ¡°I checked downstairs. There¡¯s leakage, so you don¡¯t need to


    no worry about


    This man was not only capable but also thorough. My throat tightened, leaving me speechless.


    Brandon¨Cstarted fixing the pipes while I stood there watching. His hands moved skillfully, like when


    he adjusted the lights.


    Leaning against the door, I asked, ¡°Brandon, is there anything you can¡¯t do?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± he answered without pausing his work.


    ¡°What?¡±


    27


    He nced back at me. ¡°Giving birth.¡±


    His words instantly lightened my somber mood, making meugh. I quipped,¡± You won¡¯t be able to,


    as long as you make someone do it for you.¡±


    ¡°Of course, that shouldn¡¯t be a problem,¡± he replied.


    But I found myself at a loss for words, my face reddening. How did our conversation be so


    improper?


    To ease the awkwardness, I added, ¡°Brandon, whoever marries you in the future will be very


    happy.¡±


    ¡°Then why don¡¯t you agree to marry me?¡± He always caught me off guard with his questions.


    I lowered my gaze, and after a while, I replied, ¡°I¡¯m tooplicated. Like you said, I have an ex¨C


    fianc¨¦ and ambiguous rtionships. You¡¯ve never been in love. You¡¯re too innocent. I¡¯m not good


    enough for you.¡±


    Brandon didn¡¯t say anything. I watched him silently for a moment before turning to the balcony to


    tend to the small potted flowers I had bought.


    Not long after, I heard Brandon going downstairs. Looking down from the balcony, I saw him lying


    on the ground again, turning on the valve.


    Was it fixed?


    I went to the kitchen are turned on the faucet.


    Clear water flowed and the newly reced faucet worked smoothly.


    I


    As I stared at the water, lost in thought, suddenly felt a presence behind me. Brandon¡¯s long arm


    reached over. In a half¨Cembracing posture, he turned off the water. His deep voice murmured in my


    ear, ¡°Don¡¯t you know how to conserve water?¡±


    My heart quivered slightly. I tried to retreat from his embrace, but he showed no intention of moving


    away.


    ¡°Brandon¡­¡± I raised my hand to push him, but my palm met taut muscles.


    Instantly, it felt like I was gripping a scorching iron. The burning sensation quickly spread through


    my palm

 Redmption 86

    Redmption 86


    I was breathing rapidly, frozen in ce.


    Brandon didn¡¯t move or say anything, but his gaze was glued to me.


    To be precise, he was looking right into my eyes.


    We stood there, staring at each other, neither stepping forward nor backing away:


    I could even feel both our heartbeats quickening.


    Until my neighbor, an elderlydy¡¯s voice sounded from outside, ¡°The new tenant¡¯s boyfriend is


    kind. Look how clean he made the stairs.¡±


    That snapped me back to reality. I gave Brandon a push and quickly escaped to the living room.


    But for a moment I didn¡¯t know what to do, feeling dazed and confused.


    Brandon walked out, breaking the awkward silence. ¡°Is this the house where your parents used to


    live?¡±


    I was startled, wondering how he knew. Then I saw him walking toward the wall with the photos.


    ¡°You still look a lot like you did when you were a kid.¡±


    The wall was decorated with my certificates and our family photos. I was. wearing a red scarf, with


    my parents on either side of me, smiling warmly. But now, looking at their smiling faces only made


    my heart tighten.


    ¡°You did well in school.¡± Brandon nced at my certificates again. My certificates were mostly for


    being an outstanding student or role model


    student.


    ¡°I¡¯m still excellent now,¡± I responded without any humility.


    Brandon looked at me. ¡°You are.¡± He paused for a moment, then added, ¡°In every way.


    His gaze made it hard for me to meet his eyes. This man was too straightforward, both in his eyes


    and his words.


    Not wanting any further entanglement, said, ¡°Thank you for your hard work today. Let me treat you


    to a meal, and then I¡¯ll help you find a ce.¡±


    I went from reluctant to proactive because I owed him a favor.


    ¡°Alright,¡± Brandon didn¡¯t refuse but added, ¡°I need to wash my face. Do you have a towel?¡±


    Only when he said this did I realize his face and clothes were dirty. ¡°Wait a moment, I¡¯ll go buy you


    some clothes.¡±


    Although we were in a remote area, there was a nearby supermarket that had everything.


    ¡°No need,¡± Brandon declined. ¡°Give me a towel. I¡¯ll wipe myself clean.¡±


    I was about to say something else, but I met his unyielding gaze. Reluctantly, I walked to the


    bathroom, grabbed my towel, and handed it to him. ¡°Use this, I don¡¯t have any new ones.


    He nodded, then turned on the tap to wash his face.


    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    For some reason, I didn¡¯t leave. I watched him wash his face in a rugged, masculine way. He


    sshed water on his face and even ran his hands through his hair with water.


    Though it wasn¡¯t cold, the water was. I was about to remind him, but he had already started drying


    his face and hair with the towel.


    When he looked up, he saw me standing behind him in the mirror.


    In that instant, I felt embarrassed, feeling like I¡¯d been caught peeping.


    I didn¡¯t know how many times I¡¯d felt flustered and anxious around him.


    This version of me was like a young girl who had never experienced love.


    Come to think of it, though Chris and I were engaged, we never shared these sweet, romantic


    moments.


    As Derick said, Chris even had me bring him toilet paper. We were like siblings. There was


    affection, but not the kind of excitement between a man and woman


    in love.


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t the cold water bother you?¡± I asked, meeting his gaze in the mirror.


    ¡°I¡¯m used to washing my face


    and hair with cold water. I got used to it in the military.¡± His reply evoked both admiration and a


    pang of sorrow in me.


    Did soldiers always wash with cold water?

 Redmption 87

    Redmption 87


    ¡°Do you have any wet wipes at home?¡± Brandon asked me again, ¡°Or any other towel will do. I want


    to wipe myself down


    He held my his clothes, towel in his hand but didn¡¯t want to use it to clean


    ¡°I have facial cleansing wipes. You can wet them and use them the same way,¡± I said, pulling out


    two sheets for him..


    He looked a bit puzzled, staring at the face wipes with an expression of unfamiliarity. I chuckled.


    ¡°Mr. Howell, don¡¯t tell me you don¡¯t know what these are?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. This is my first time seeing them.¡± He was adorably straightforward.


    It made sense. Having never been in a rtionship and with no girls around, he probably wouldn¡¯t


    know about this. Facial cleansing wipes were a recent innovation in the skincare industry.


    ¡°Women use them to wash their face. They¡¯re disposable,¡± I said as I wet the wipes for him and


    handed them over.


    Brandon lowered his head to clean the mud off himself, and I noticed his shoulder was dirty too. So


    I grabbed another wipe to clean it for him.


    The moment I touched him, Brandon¡¯s body stiffened. But I pretended not to notice and continued


    wiping.


    Suddenly, a ck mole on the back of Brandon¡¯s neck caught my eye. I


    couldn¡¯t help but think of the dream I had, about the little boy who carried me. with a small ck


    mole on the back of his neck.


    For a moment, I was lost in thought until Brandon called me. When I came back to my senses, I


    realized the wet wipe in my hand had soaked his clothes.


    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s done.¡± I withdrew my hand.


    Looking at the ck mole on the back of his neck, I asked, ¡°Brandon, have you had that mole on


    your neck since you were a kid?¡±


    Brandon touched it. ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve had it since I was little.¡±


    Clinger97


    My heart skipped a beat. Oh my god, could the boy in my dream be Brandon?


    Damn, it was weird. I haven¡¯t known Brandon for long, how could I dream about him as a child?


    Why was he carrying me on his back?


    Dreams were just a product of our imagination and could be anything bizarre. Yet I was amazed by


    this dream that seemed so real.


    After all, before today, I didn¡¯t even know Brandon had a small ck mole on


    his neck.


    ¡°I¡¯m ready. Let¡¯s go!¡± Brandon turned around and snapped me out of my chaotic thoughts.


    We walked down the stairs together and bumped into the elderly neighboring up. She


    complimented Brandon again, ¡°Young man, how nice of you! Come over often, okay? And maybe


    help us clean up a bit too.¡±


    I thought to myself. ¡°This olddy sure isn¡¯t shy about asking for help.¡±


    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    But Brandon smiled and agreed, ¡°Sure.¡±


    Well, he sure was always ready to help. He must have agreed out of courtesy. There was no way


    he woulde back here, would he?


    Brandon exited the building and looked around. ¡°This neighborhood may be a bit old, but the overall


    environment is still pleasant.¡±


    ¡°It used to be better. Now it¡¯s mostly tenants, so it¡¯s much worse,¡± I casually replied.


    He hummed in agreement and followed me to the car. As I was about to start driving, he asked, ¡°Is


    the rent here expensive?¡±


    I turned to look at him. ¡°Huh?¡±


    He pulled the seatbelt over and buckled up. ¡°Just asking about the market rate, so I know what to


    expect when I rent.¡±


    It seemed like a simple question, but something felt off.


    ¡°Ms. Cro


    what do you n to treat me to?¡± Brandon changed the subject before I could think more about it.


    ¡°what do you


    want to eat?¡± I asked, driving out of the neighborhood.


    ¡°I¡¯m not picky. I¡¯ll eat whatever you eat,¡± he said, easygoing as ever.


    Considering how hard he worked for me all day, I decided to take him somewhere nice. But as soon


    as we entered the restaurant, I saw someone I


    didn¡¯t want to see.


    To make matters worse, she saw me too. She was stunned at first, then started walking toward me.


    Act Fast Free Bonus Time is Running Out!

 Redmption 88

    Redmption 88


    Those who were shameless were unstoppable.


    That was what shed through my mind when I saw Jewel walking toward me.


    A mistress with a shred of moral conscience would avoid the wife at all costs. But nowadays, with


    declining social standards, here she was, brazen and


    unapologetic.


    Jewel had this air about her as if she needed to unt herself to prove how


    superior she was.


    ¡°Madeline, what a coincidence! Are you having a meal here too?¡± Jewel said, though her eyes were


    me. To be precise, her gaze


    fixed on Brandon besin. hadn¡¯t left him since she approached us.


    -I didn¡¯t need to borate on how captivating this man was. Everyone turned their heads to look at


    him, even the elderlydies. What happened earlier in my neighborhood was the best proof of that.


    9


    ¡°Of course. Why else would I be here? To sightsee?¡± I replied curtly. I had no patience for her.


    It wasn¡¯t that I was petty, but I couldn¡¯t stand her shameless attitude. She could act like a b*tch


    while trying to maintain an innocent image.


    If she had admitted her feelings for Chris and wanted to be with him, I would¡¯ve


    let them be.


    Instead, she opted for a more indirect approach, provoking me. As a result, her current distress was


    solely her own making.


    Sure enough, my harsh words made her face show a mix of hurt and embarrassment. With Chris


    absent, who was she putting on this act for?


    Could it be for Brandon?


    Humans possessed a degree of narcissism, which led them to believe they were the most


    appealing individuals.


    Jewel, with her decent looks, likely had an even higher opinion of herself.


    Especially now that she was a young widow,cking a man and desperate to


    find a good one.


    But hadn¡¯t she already hooked up with Chris?


    Why was she still on the prowl, eyeing a better catch? Or was it that she only had a thing for any


    man around me?


    Despite nothing going on with Brandon, I still didn¡¯t want Jewel to set her


    I sights on him.


    Seeing Jewel¡¯s flirtatious look, I smirked mockingly. ¡°Ms. Massey, are you here for their healthy


    menu? The food here is indeed very good, perfect for pregnant


    women like you.¡±


    Jewel looked chagrined, and she shot a furtive nce at Brandon.


    Iughed. It was obvious her behavior aimed to attract Brandon¡¯s attention.


    This woman,


    while keeping Chris hooked, would flirt with any attractive man she saw. Was she hoping to y the


    field and choose the best option?


    It surprised me that Chris wasn¡¯t her sole target. This discovery made me feel unexpectedly


    pleased. How would Chris feel if he ever found out he was just one of Jewel¡¯s many prospects?¡±


    N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    ¡°Are you two dining with us? Please follow me.¡± The waiter approached..


    ¡°Yes, please get us a good spot,¡± I replied, walking away without saying another word to Jewel.


    Knowing Jewel¡¯s intentions, I leaned closer to Brandon as we walked side by side. But I misjudged


    my bnce and stumbled a little.


    Brandon, quick to reach, grabbed my shoulder to steady me and didn¡¯t let go until I shrugged it off.


    Then he took his seat at the table the waiter had set for


    1. US.


    Brandon never asked about Jewel. His sense of boundaries and propriety


    made me feel at ease.


    ¡°Order whatever you like, I said. I handed him the menu.


    This time, Brandon didn¡¯t im to be an unfussy eater. He took the menu and studied it seriously.


    Taking advantage of this moment, I looked out the window and saw Jewel on


    the phone. I wondered if she was calling!


    Just then, Chris¡¯s car pulled up in front personally opened the car door for her, al his hand on the


    door frame, as if afraid st


    Despite all the time we¡¯d spent together, difference between being attentive and in


    the phone. I wondered if she was calling Chris.


    3/3


    Just then, Chris¡¯s car pulled up in front of Jewel. I watched as Chris got out, personally opened the


    car door for her, and held the door for her. He even kept his hand on the door frame, as if afraid she


    might bump her head.


    Despite all the time we¡¯d spent together, he¡¯d never done that for me. The difference between being


    attentive and inconsiderate was all too clear.

 Redmption 89

    Redmption 89


    I should have known better than to look¨Cit only upset me.


    As I was about to turn my gaze away, I saw Chris turn his head. His eyes met mine through the


    window, and he frowned.


    I didn¡¯t linger on him, instead turning my attention to Brandon. He was done. ordering and the waiter


    was repeating his order. Surprisingly, the dishes he¡¯d chosen were all my favorites.


    But how could he know what I liked? He didn¡¯t know me well enough for that. Maybe we shared the


    same preference.


    I looked at him, wanting to ask, but my mouth barely moved before I decided against it. Asking too


    much would show cared, and I couldn¡¯t let Brandon get that impression.


    N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.


    So, instead, I asked, ¡°Do you want a beer?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t drink,¡± he refused, ¡°and I bave things to do this afternoon.¡±


    Oh right, he had to go house hunting. I thought that was why he refused, so I said, ¡°It¡¯s fine. I¡¯ll go


    with you this afternoon. I won¡¯t let anyone take advantage of you.¡±


    ¡°No need. I¡¯ve already he trailed off. I watched him, curious about what he was going to say.


    His dark eyes met mine, unwavering. ¡°I¡¯ve already decided to choose on my own. I want to look at


    more ces.¡±


    I nodded, relieved. I didn¡¯t want to go with him anyway. It would be tiring, and if the ce he rented


    turned out to be a problem, I¡¯d feel responsible.


    Since he didn¡¯t want a drink, I ordered two non¨Calcoholic beverages.


    Suddenly, the light in front of me dimmed, followed by a voice I knew all too well. ¡°Weren¡¯t you on a


    tight work schedule? Howe you¡¯re sitting here having lunch?¡±


    Chris, that sc*mbag, finally made his way in.


    I wonder what kind of tale that b*tch, Jewel, spun for him.


    The way he spoke made me want to smack him across the face. So we couldn¡¯t have a meal break


    because of deadlines.


    I looked up, about to retort, but Brandon beat me to it. ¡°It¡¯s our day off today.¡±


    Chris shot him a cold look, then turned to me. ¡°Who approved this day off?¡±


    ¡°I requested it,¡± Brandon again spoke before I could.


    Chris¡¯s face grew colder. ¡°You? You¡¯re only a lowly lighting technician. What gives you the right to


    demand a day off? Your job is to fully cooperate with us toplete and verify the lighting


    adjustments.¡±


    Chris¡¯s words were a tant insult.


    I was fired up too. ¡°Mr. Gildon, I¡¯m in charge of the amusement park project. I approved today¡¯s


    break. You can¡¯t expect the donkey to keep working if you don¡¯t let it eat.¡±


    Though the metaphor was off, it hit the mark.


    As I finished, Brandon chimed in. ¡°I may just be a lowly lighting technician, but isn¡¯t it your side that


    urgently needs us?¡±


    Chris, confronted by both of us, turned livid.


    ¡°Fine, take your break. Eat well and recharge. This meal¡¯s on thepany,¡± Chris spat out,


    storming off to settle the bill at the counter.


    I smirked. ¡°Mr. Howell, we should have ordered more.¡±


    Brandon looked at me, saying nothing. His gaze inexplicably made me feel diffident.


    I was about to lower my head when he said, ¡°You got a message.¡±


    ¡°Really? Let me see,¡± He passed me my phone which was ced near him. One nce and my


    ears turned red.


    The message was from Lisa. ¡°Is Mr. Howell impotent? How else could he share a room and not


    make a move on a pretty woman like you?¡±


    I wished I could p myself. It was all my fault for sharing this news with her.


    This morning, I had told Lisa about awkwardly falling asleep in Brandon¡¯s


    room. She hadn¡¯t replied until now.


    If she wasn¡¯t going to reply, she should have just left it. But why did she have to reply right when


    Brandon had my phone? And with a message like that.


    Embarrassed, I didn¡¯t dare look up. Brandon¡¯s low voice broke the silence. ¡°I¡¯m in perfect health.


    That function works just fine.¡±


    I was speechless.

 Redmption 90

    Redmption 90


    I was so embarrassed I wanted to hide. But I knew if I tried to deflect, Brandon


    would overthink it.


    Not to mention, he was acting so casual and familiar with me. He did whatever he pleased and said


    whatever came to mind without mincing words.


    I forced myself to look up naturally at that thought. ¡°Is that so? You can¡¯t just im something


    without proof.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s true.¡± Brandon took a sip of his drink before continuing, ¡°I can-¡±


    rms started going off in my head. ¡°Shut up, Brandon.¡± I had lost in the end.


    ¡°I was just going to say that I can get checked at the hospital if you need proof,


    ¡°Brandon finished.


    Even though his words weren¡¯t inappropriate, they still made me overthink things. Why did he have


    to prove himself? I wasn¡¯t even anything to him.


    ¡°Just prove it to your future wife,¡± I said before getting up and escaping to the


    restroom.


    However, as soon as I made a turn, someone grabbed my arm. A familiar scent greeted me, and I


    knew who it was without even looking.


    Clutching my arm, Chris questioned. ¡°Madeline, aren¡¯t you going too far? You¡¯re having lunch with a


    mere lighting technician in a ce like this?¡±


    Noticing Chris¡® angry expression, I chuckled. He was clearly jealous. ¡°Can¡¯t we eat here? Did you


    reserve the entire ce?¡±


    ¡°Madeline.¡± Brandon was getting increasingly frustrated. ¡°If you¡¯re looking for a


    at least find a decent one.¡±


    man


    Earlier, and even now, his every word belittled Brandon. It was also his way of mocking me.


    ¡°Brandon is a senior engineer with a dual degree from Cambridge. Do you possess any of the


    qualifications he has?¡± I countered mockingly.


    15: Qupt¨¦r 90


    It was something I had learned this morning when I went through Brandon¡¯s


    files.


    Chris was embarrassed by my question. Despite being the president, his academic performance


    was far from ster. He couldn¡¯t evenpare to Conrad in this regard.


    However, Chris was shrewd, which was an essential quality to be a sessful businessman. He


    inherited his father¡¯spany and, in just a few years,


    turned it into an industry leader.


    It was undeniably true that everyone had their strengths and weaknesses. But Chris was too proud.


    He only saw his sess and failed to see anyone else¡¯s


    talents.


    ¡°Madeline, am I such a disappointment to you?¡± Chris¡® face was flushed with


    anger.


    ¡°You¡¯re not a disappointment.¡± I didn¡¯tpletely tear him down. After all, I had loved him for ten


    years. If I had loved him even when he was a disappointment, it would be a question of my


    judgment.


    ¡°But you¡¯re not better than Brandon.¡± Since he looked down on Brandon, I used Brandon to dete


    his ego.


    Chris tightened his grip on my arm. He was nearly crushing me, yet he had been gentle with Jewel


    just moments ago.


    A sharp pain pierced through my heart. ¡°Chris, like I said, we have nothing to do with each other


    anymore. Who I have dinner with and what I do is none of your


    business.¡±


    Chris¡® expression grew darker at my words, but he retorted with a mocking smile. ¡°Do you really not


    care about what other people think? Like I said, if you want to prove your worth, find a better man


    than me.


    Iughed. ¡°You don¡¯t even care what people think about you dating a widow, so why should I?


    ¡°I can say the same to you. If you had found someone better, I would have wished you nothing but


    the best. It¡¯s too bad you ended up with a widow carrying another man¡¯s child-


    I paused for good measure before continuing, ¡°Well, I guess it does showcase.


    your benevolence.¡±


    ¡°You¡± Chris was so infuriated that he couldn¡¯t speak.


    1 pulled my hand free and went to the restroom. As I looked at my reflection in


    the mirror, I noticed I didn¡¯t look any better.


    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    Even though we had broken up, his hurtful words still stung.


    Act Fast Free Bonus Time is Running Out!

 Redmption 91

    Redmption 91


    Judging from Chris¡® expression, he appeared jealous.


    What a scumbag. He wanted to have his cake and eat it too. How could he be romantically involved


    with a widow while still leading me on?


    I stayed in the restroom for a few minutes before I left, only to hear Jewel¡¯s tearful voice. ¡°Chris,


    you¡¯re still in love with Madeline, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s my fiancee.¡± Chris¡® answer confirmed my suspicions. He still had feelings for me.


    ¡°But she broke up with you,¡± Jewel whimpered.


    I had to admit. Jewel knew how to act before a man. Her tone of voice was


    immacte.


    ¡°She broke up with me, but I haven¡¯t agreed. Besides, she can¡¯t live without me. She¡¯s just angry for


    the time being. It¡¯ll be fine once her anger subsides.¡±


    I didn¡¯t expect that from Chris. It turned out he only took our breakup as me throwing a tantrum. He


    still believed that I would never leave him.


    But since he said that to Jewel, did that mean there was really nothing going on between them?


    ¡°Men are all the same. You don¡¯t cherish what you have and won¡¯t let go when you lose them.¡±


    Jewel mocked Chris.


    When Chris remained silent, Jewel continued, ¡°Since Madeline is the woman you truly care about,


    why are you making her misunderstand us by being so good to me?¡±


    My chest tightened. I was curious too.


    Before today¡¯s encounter, I truly thought Chris was involved with Jewel. But if that had been true,


    Chris wouldn¡¯t have openly admitted his feelings for me in front of her.


    Chris was still silent. Not knowing what was going on, I took a quiet step forward.


    Chapter:al


    271


    They were standing in the hallway, and across from them was a full¨Clength mirror. I saw the two of


    them through the mirror.


    Chris had his head down and was staring at his feet. He looked very gloomy.


    ¡°Chris, since Madeline is the woman you love, why did you approach me in the first ce? Why did


    you kiss me?¡±


    I froze at Jewel¡¯s words. They already kissed? I felt my heart squeeze, and then it was like a string


    snapped.


    ¡°Say something, Chris!¡± Jewel was suddenly agitated and grabbed Chris¡® shirt.


    ¡°Why did you kiss me? If you hadn¡¯t kissed me,n wouldn¡¯t have seen it and-¡± Jewel suddenly fell


    silent. I watched as her body went limp and Chris caught


    her.


    ¡°Jewel, Jewel!¡± Chris called out anxiously before picking her up and hurrying Outside.


    I


    I stood there, unmoving, watching through the mirror as Chris carried Jewel away in panic.


    ¤Ò


    All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    Jewel said Chris kissed her, andn saw them. That meant Chris and Jewel¡¯s rtionship had been


    going on for some time now. It wasn¡¯t something


    recent.


    It turned out, Chris had already cheated long ago..


    ¡°Are you Ms. Crown?¡± a waitress who came in asked. I snapped out of it and looked at her. She


    exined, ¡°A Mr. Howell is waiting for you outside.¡±


    I pinched the palm of my hands hard, thenposed myself and walked out of


    the restroom.


    Brandon was standing not far from the restroom. Against the backlight, his tall figure gave off a


    sense of stability.


    He walked over and looked at me,


    happened?¡±


    a hoarse voice, he asked, ¡°What


    I swallowed the lump in my throat. ¡°Brandon, I don¡¯t think I can join you for lunch anymore.¡±


    ¡°Alright, we¡¯ll skip lunch then,¡± he said as he reached out to me.


    I avoided him. ¡°You should eat. I¡¯m leavin


    waiting for a reaction.


    I avoided him. ¡°You should eat. I¡¯m leaving.¡± I left immediately after without waiting for a reaction..

 Redmption 92

    Redmption 92


    I went to a bar and stayed there from 3:00 pm till 9:00 pm, drinking the entire time. I didn¡¯t drink


    much, but I drank for a long time, until my mind was nk. and my body felt empty.


    I knew the owner, so even though I was alone, I didn¡¯t have to worry even if I got drunk.


    ¡°When are you leaving? Do you have a ride?¡± the owner asked. Hisst name was Webb. I didn¡¯t


    know his first name, since everyone only addressed him as


    Mr. Webb.


    He looked to be in his fifties. If my dad were still around, they¡¯d be about the


    same age.


    ¡°Now, I guess.¡± I didn¡¯t really want to leave, but I still had work tomorrow and


    needed to rest earlier.


    Tonight¡¯s drinking was my way of saying a final goodbye to my feelings for


    Chris.


    I stood up, leaning on the chair for support, but Mr. Webb stopped me. ¡°I can¡¯t let you leave like this.


    I¡¯ll have someone take you home.¡±


    Mr. Webb was a thoughtful man. Despite his bar being tucked away in an alley, it had thrived for


    many years since most of his patrons were regrs and old


    friends.


    I starteding here back in school. I remember the first time I came here was because I saw


    Chris dancing with a girl who had a crush on him. Jealous and upset, I came here to drink.


    I drank too much then and almost slept through the night. By the time I woke up, I was the only one


    left. I was anxious and scared, but Mr. Webb made me something to eat.


    N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.


    He told me toe here if I ever wanted to drink and not go anywhere else because I could end up


    in danger if I met bad people.


    From then on, I came here whenever I felt down. He never stopped me from drinking, letting me do


    as I pleased. But no matter how much I drank, he


    TEL


    ensured I was safe.


    I knew he once had a daughter. When she was around 16 or 17, she drank because she was


    heartbroken and was assaulted.


    Her mental health deteriorated after that and in the end, shemitted suicide by jumping off a


    building.


    Mr. Webb had opened this bar to protect those heartbroken girls and provide them with a safe


    space to drink.


    ¡°Alright.¡± I epted because I didn¡¯t want him to worry.


    ¡°Then wait here. Don¡¯t go anywhere on your own,¡± Mr. Webb said before turning


    around.


    ¡°Mr. Webb.¡± Right then, I heard a familiar voice.


    I looked in the direction of the voice and saw Conrad walking toward me. I _chuckled. ¡°Mr. Webb, it


    seems like you won¡¯t need to have someone send me


    home anymore.¡±


    Conrad knew about this ce too since he¡¯d been here before. I¡¯ve also run into him here many


    times. It appeared like today was no exception.


    I didn¡¯t believe in coincidences since I knew very well that most so¨Ccalled coincidences were


    premeditated.


    ¡°The bill, please.¡± I tugged at Mr. Webb.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. Maybe next time.¡± Mr. Webb dismissed me.


    I didn¡¯t insist. If I didn¡¯t pay this time, I would just pay double the next time. However, Conrad took


    out his phone and scanned the QR code. Without asking for the total, he transferred two thousand


    dors.


    Mr. Webb wanted to say something but Conrad spoke first. ¡°Keep the extral amount for her next


    visit.¡±


    The next visit? Did he think I was an alcoholic? Well, it would be better if he thought that.


    Conrad came over and helped me outside. A cool night breeze hit us as we left the bar, clearing my


    muddled mind a bit.


    ¡°Do you want to take a car or ride on a bicycle?¡± Conrad asked.


    Chapt92


    I was surprised at the question and memories started flooding back.


    When Conrad left, I still hadn¡¯t gotten my driver¡¯s license, so I rode a bicycle all the time. Every time


    I drank here, Conrad would pick me up on a bicycle.

 Redmption 93

    Redmption 93


    It felt like a long time since I hadst rode a bicycle.


    ¡°Bicycle.¡± I pointed to the side.


    You could now rent a bicycle by just scanning a QR code with your phone. Conrad went to scan


    one, and I was about to do the same when he stopped me.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been drinking so you can¡¯t ride one.¡±


    ¡°Do they even check for drunk cycling?¡± I asked, tilting my head.


    ¡°Yes, they do, and-¡± Conrad pulled my arm. Unlike Chris¡® painful squeezes, Conrad¡¯s touch was


    gentle. ¡°You drank, so it¡¯s dangerous.¡±


    Conrad was the perfect gentleman.


    I smiled. ¡°Aren¡¯t you here?¡±


    ¤Ò


    ¡°If you want to ride, we can do it another day together, but not today. I¡¯ll take you on mine,¡± Conrad


    said as he led me to the bicycle he had scanned.


    He sat on it and helped me onto the back seat. ¡°Hold on tight, Maddie. We don¡¯t want you falling.¡±


    I clung to his shirt. ¡°Okay.¡±


    The night breeze brushed against us. The impression Conrad left on me was that of a youth who


    cycled. Chris, on the other hand, never rode a bicycle. He only rode a motorcycle.


    They were biological brothers, but their personalities were entirely different- one a gentleman, and


    the other wild and untamed.


    ¡°In a bad mood today?¡± Conrad asked.


    ¡°No, I¡¯m fine.¡± I stubbornly denied it.


    ¡°Still can¡¯t get over Chris, can you?¡± he asked again.


    I huffed and punched him lightly. ¡°That¡¯s not true. I got over him long ago. After today, we won¡¯t


    have anything to do with each other. He is him, and I am me.¡±


    Conrad stopped talking and continued cycling. I thought of something and said, ¡°Take me to the


    hotel. I still have work tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Maddie.¡± Conrad suddenly called out my name.


    All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    I was about to respond when I heard him ask. ¡°Why do you only have eyes for Chris? Why is he the


    only one you see between us?¡±


    I clung harder to his shirt, my heart skipping a beat. I wasn¡¯tpletely clueless. I had sensed he


    had feelings for me long ago. I just didn¡¯t want to admit it.


    It looked like he never really just saw me as a sister.


    ¡°That¡¯s because he¡¯s my fiance. That¡¯s what everyone told me,¡± I replied.


    ¡°Now that you¡¯ve broken up with him, do L.¡± Conrad paused.


    ¡°Do I have a chance?¡±


    My heart started racing, and it took me a while to respond. ¡°You¡¯re my brother.¡±


    Conrad said nothing more and Continued riding until we reached the hotel. I got off, but the alcohol


    hit me hard and I nearly fell.


    Conrad grabbed me and, with a push of his foot, parked the bike. ¡°I¡¯ll take your upstairs.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡± I tried to pull my hand away.


    Conrad didn¡¯t let go. He tightened his grip on me instead. ¡°Maddie, I don¡¯t want to be your brother. I


    want to take care of you for the rest of my life.¡±


    I stood there, feeling a lump in my throat.


    ¡°I would have taken this to the grave if you stayed with Chris. But since the two of you broke up, I¡¯m


    fighting for a chance, Conrad said earnestly.


    His words weighed heavily on me in the quiet of the night, making it hard for me to breathe. I almost


    couldn¡¯t speak.


    I pinched my palm hard and slowly raised my head. ¡°I only see you as a brother, always have and


    always will.¡±


    W


    Disappointment clouded his eyes. He spoke in a pained voice. ¡°Can you not see me as a brother


    from now on?¡±


    ¡°Ms. Crown, why are you up sote? Don¡¯t you have work tomorrow?¡± Brandon walked over at that


    moment.


    Under the night sky, Brandon wore dark gray loungewear and hotel slippers, but he took steady


    steps.


    While I was lost in thought, I felt a tight grip on my wrist. Brandon had already taken hold of me, and


    Conrad tightened his grip on my hand too.


    Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out!

 Redmption 94

    Redmption 94


    This scene caught me off guard and made me instantly sober. It was pretty awkward¨Ca woman


    stuck between two men.


    I needed to make a decision to break this stalemate, and one thing was clear. I could never be with


    Conrad. If I had to choose between the two men, it would only be Brandon.


    I almost got married to Chris. There was no way I would break up with him and end up with his


    brother instead.


    ¡°Conrad, I¡¯m tired,¡± I finally said.


    Conrad tightened his grip on me for a moment before finally letting go.


    Still holding my hand, Brandon led me away. I didn¡¯t look back, but I could feel Conrad¡¯s gaze


    following me.


    Either due to the alcohol or my chaotic mind, I stumbled on the hotel¡¯s steps. The next thing I knew,


    Brandon was carrying me.


    ¡°Put me down,¡± I said, clutching his clothes.


    ¡°If you want him to give up, stay quiet,¡± he whispered.


    Recalling Conrad¡¯s words, I remained still. I could be in a situationship with. anyone, but not


    Conrad. I saw him as a brother, like my own flesh and blood.


    I¡¯d never thought of him romantically. This rtionship was precious to me, and I didn¡¯t want to ruin


    it.


    Conrad was a reserved man who didn¡¯t easily express love and wouldn¡¯t persistently pursue


    someone. If he believed I had feelings for someone other than Chris, he would likely back off.


    In the end, I allowed Brandon to carry m


    into the hotel lobby, but he didn¡¯t put


    me down until we reached the door to my room.


    I knew of Conrad¡¯s feelings for me, so naturally, I could also tell Brandon had feelings for me. Since


    I had cut off Conrad¡¯s feelings, I might as well put an end to Brandon¡¯s too.


    Chopje d


    While Brandon let go of me, I continued clinging on to him. Grabbing the front of his shirt, I looked


    him boldly in the eyes.


    ¡°Brandon, you¡¯re a handsome man,¡± I said, my words equally bold.


    ¡°Mmhm.¡± He was generous enough to let my eyes feast on him.


    Given courage by the alcohol, I lifted my hand and traced the bridge of his tall nose. ¡°There must be


    a lot of women who are interested in you.¡±


    ¡°Mmhm.¡± He was pretty confident.


    I chuckled, moving my fingers to the corner of his eyes. ¡°Kara likes you too.¡±


    I wasn¡¯t betraying Kara. It was just that her feelings for him were written all over her face. Brandon


    wasn¡¯t blind. He had to have noticed even if I didn¡¯t


    spell it out for him..


    ¡°How about you? Do you like me?¡± This time, Brandon asked me directly.


    I was slightly taken aback, then I shook my head. ¡°No, I don¡¯t.¡±


    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    Brandon narrowed his eyes, but he didn¡¯t ask why.


    I exined anyway. ¡°Brandon, I don¡¯t want a man who attracts other women, because¡­ I don¡¯t like


    fighting over my man.


    ¡°I want someone who


    as you are.¡±


    ¡°Alright,¡± he replied.


    belongs solely to me, even if he is not as good¨Clooking


    Iughed. ¡°What do you mean by alright?


    He lookedpletely unperturbed. ¡°It means I understand.¡±


    I couldn¡¯t quite wrap my head around his response, and I didn¡¯t n to. My hand moved down to the


    angr lines of his face, before finally resting on his


    shoulders.


    ¡°Brandon, don¡¯t seduce me, and don¡¯t be too nice to me.¡± With that, I withdrew my hand and took a


    step back, but Brandon pulled me closer by my waist.


    ¡°Whether I like you or pursue you is my choice, and you¡¯re free to respond however you wish. Just


    focus on yourself and don¡¯t try to control my actions.¡±


    Huh? He left me confused. He liked me but didn¡¯t want me to interfere?


    ¡°So, you¡¯re saying that you¡¯ll keep seducing and flirting with me?¡± I asked directly.

 Redmption 95

    Redmption 95


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    I was about to say something when Conrad whispered, ¡°I can¡¯t help it. I can¡¯t help wanting to be


    close to you, to be good to you, and¡­ to tease you.¡±


    It made sense. If love were something we could control, no one in this universe would fall prey to it.


    I didn¡¯t know how to respond, but then Brandon let go of me. ¡°Drink plenty of water when you get


    inside. If you need anything, call me.¡±


    He pointed at my bag. ¡°Your room key. I¡¯ll open the door for you.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡± I snapped back to reality and stepped away from him. ¡°I can open the door myself.¡±


    I fished out my room key in a rush, swiped it, and went in. I leaned against the door for a good


    while, unable to clear my mind.


    By the time Kara returned, I was already lying in bed. She moved quietly, probably trying not to


    wake me.


    I didn¡¯t open my eyes because I didn¡¯t want to talk, but I heard Kara mutter softly. ¡°She¡¯s sleeping


    soundly. It doesn¡¯t look like I¡¯m needed here.¡±


    Hearing this, I clenched my fingers. It seemed like Brandon had asked Kara to look after me.


    Brandon¡­ How did I end up getting involved with this man?


    I didn¡¯t know and slowly drifted into sleep. I dreamt again, and the dream was chaotic. I appeared to


    have dreamt of my parents and the scene of their car


    ident.


    Even though I didn¡¯t witness the scene firsthand, I had secretly looked through their case file at the


    police station and saw the pictures taken.


    Those images were etched into my mind, bing my nightmares.


    When I first moved in with the Gildons, I had frequent dreams of it, and over


    2/3


    the years, the dreams had almost ceased. Yet, that night, the dream returned. When I woke up, it


    was still dark outside. I checked the time on my phone. It was five in the morning. Lately, I always


    woke up around this time, no matter howte I went to bed.


    Despite drinking a lot the previous night, my head didn¡¯t hurt, and I felt clear- headed. I had a few


    missed calls and messages on my phone, which I hadn¡¯t noticed because it was on silent.


    Lisa had called twice, and so had Bree. I didn¡¯t know why Bree called, but I had an uneasy feeling.


    It was likely rted to Chris.


    But I thought I already made myself clear and she hadn¡¯t contacted me recently. Could this be


    about Conrad instead?


    I pondered for a while and decided to reply to Lisa first. It was too early to call, so I opened up


    WhatsApp and immediately saw several messages from her.


    ¡°Why aren¡¯t you answering your calls? Are you all right?¡±


    ¡°Did Mr. Howell kidnap you?¡±


    ¤ê


    ¡°Answer my calls or reply to my messages. Otherwise, I¡¯m calling the police.¡±


    ¡°You went to Mr. Webb¡¯s bar to drink. Did something happen there?¡±


    Lisa must have tracked down Mr. Webb¡¯s ce when she couldn¡¯t locate me. Otherwise, she


    probably would have banged on my hotel door.


    I sent her an emoji and a message: ¡°I¡¯m fine. I was just in the mood for a drink.¡±


    As soon as I sent the message, my phone rang. It was Lisa calling. She must be on the night shift


    again since she was responding this quickly.


    N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    I didn¡¯t want to wake Kara, so I went out to the balcony to take the call. The moment I stepped


    outside, I saw Brandon jogging below. This time, I turned my back to him as I talked to Lisa.


    When I told her about Bradon seeing her message, sheughed heartily and said, ¡°Maddie, I think


    you should give Brandon a chance. Why not give it a try?¡±


    ¡°I rejected himst night. I¡¯m not interested,¡± I replied firmly.


    ¡°Alright. Seems like you¡¯ve been scarred by love and have sworn off rtionships.¡± Lisa sighed.


    33


    After hanging up, I took a shower. When I finished, my phone rang again. It was a call from Bree.


    I hesitated for a moment before answering, ¡°Hello¡­¡±

 Redmption 96

    Redmption 96


    As expected, the moment I answered Bree¡¯s call, she asked me toe home. for dinner. I knew it


    was just an excuse She must have had something else.


    she wanted to discuss.


    ¡°Bree, I¡¯ve enjoyed the tacos you made, but I really can¡¯te home right now. The amusement


    park project is in a rush to meet the deadline, and I¡¯m working day and night.


    ¡°I¡¯lle back when I get a break.¡± I declined but also promised.


    ¡°Sigh, why is Chris making you rush through a tight deadline? It¡¯s not like the world is ending. I¡¯ll


    scold him for thister.¡± Bree huffed yfully.


    ¡°It¡¯s not his fault, Bree. The deadline was fixed long ago,¡± I exined.


    Chris had never let our personal issues affect work.


    ¡°Alright then, work is important.¡± Bree hung up, clearly upset and disappointed.


    But there was no helping it. I was truly busy with work. Even if I weren¡¯t, I couldn¡¯t just drop by


    Gildon estate like I used to. Perhaps with enough disappointment, she¡¯ll eventuallye to ept


    it.


    Peoplee and go from each other¡¯s lives constantly. First my parents, then Chris, and now the


    Gildons.


    While having breakfast with Kara, I didn¡¯t see Brandon.


    ¡°Hey, didn¡¯t Mr. Howell agree to go to the amusement park with us? Why did he leave early?¡± Kara


    wondered aloud.


    I didn¡¯t respond.


    Kara nudged me with her shoulder. ¡°Maddie, Mr. Howell truly cares about you. He specifically asked


    me to return to take care of youst night. He said you¡¯d been drinking. Were you drinking with


    him?¡±


    ¡°No!¡±


    ¡°Then how did he know you were drinking?¡± Kara was full of questions.


    ¡°He saw me.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I see.¡± Kara gave me a prating look as if trying to read my mind.


    ¡°Don¡¯t bother. There¡¯s nothing going on between us.¡± I answered the question she was too


    embarrassed to ask.


    Karaughed. ¡°It¡¯s alright even if there was. Even though I admire Mr. Howell¡¯s looks, it¡¯s merely just


    like how I admire male celebrities.¡±


    Kara was pretty clear¨Cheaded about it.


    ¡°We¡¯ll¨Cadmire him together then,¡± I said before ending the conversation. We then quickly finished


    our breakfast and left for the amusement park.


    Brandon had already started working. Kara greeted him. ¡°You¡¯re here early, Mr. Howell. Why didn¡¯t


    youe with us?¡±


    ¡°It was more convenient this way,¡± Brandon replied, making Kara stick out her tongue yfully.


    We began immersing ourselves in work, and we made good progress. Soon, it


    was noon. Kara was about to order takeout when a luxury car drove up.


    I recognized the car. It was Bree¡¯s. It looked like she really had urgent matters to discuss since she


    came here personally when I couldn¡¯t go.


    ¡°You guys go ahead,¡± I told Kara as I walked over to Bree.


    Bree got off, while the driver opened the trunk, revealing several lunchboxes.


    ¡°Maddie, I prepared these for everyone.¡± I was surprised at Bree¡¯s gesture.


    ¡°Bree, you didn¡¯t have to go through all this trouble.¡± I was feeling slightly embarrassed.


    ¡°You can¡¯t eat takeout every day. It¡¯s unhealthy. Ask them toe over and get these.¡± Bree said,


    ncing far out.


    Brandon was still working, while Kara was on her phone ready to order takeout. For some reason, I


    had a feeling Bree was looking at Brandon.


    ¡°Kara, Mrs. Gildon brought us lunch. You don¡¯t have to order takeout anymore.¡± I called out.


    Kara looked surprised and skipped over. She bowed to Bree. ¡°Thank you, Your Highness, Mrs.


    Gildon, we¡¯re so lucky to be treated to this royal lunch.¡±


    3/3


    Kara always knew how to bring aboutughter. N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    Bree was amused, ¡°If you like it, I¡¯ll bring you meals every day.¡±


    ¡°Oh no, that¡¯s not necessary,¡± Kara wisely refused. ¡°An asional treat is more than enough.¡±


    Bree walked over to Brandon, and I followed closely. She looked around. ¡°So, is this what you¡¯ve


    been busy withtely?¡±


    Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out!

 Redmption 97

    Redmption 97


    ¡°Yes. There are issues with the lighting.¡± While I was exining, Bree had already walked over to


    the scaffolding where Brandon was working.


    ¡°Young man, why aren¡¯t you wearing a safety harness? What you¡¯re doing is dangerous. Safety


    alwayses first.¡± As the chairman¡¯s wife, Bree spotted an issue immediately.


    Brandon had actually been wearing a safety harness, but he had taken it off when he climbed down


    earlier. He didn¡¯t wear it again as he went up just temporarily.


    ¡°Yes, we¡¯ll be careful.¡± I then called out to Brandon. ¡°Why did you go up without your safety


    harness? Come back down now.¡±


    Brandon climbed down obediently and admitted. ¡°That was my mistake. I¡¯ll be more careful next


    time and won¡¯t do it again.¡±


    He looked like a young boy who had made a mistake and was sincerely owning up to it. For some


    reason, I felt like I had been too harsh on him.


    Bree looked at him. ¡°Safety rules are there to protect you. You owe it to yourself to follow it. You can


    only love others when you love yourself first, don¡¯t you think?¡±


    Even though Bree wasn¡¯t actively involved in the business, she spoke with wisdom and guidance


    befitting a chairman¡¯s wife.


    Somehow, to me, her words carried an additional insinuation.


    ¡°I understand, Mrs. Gildon,¡± Brandon replied politely.


    ¡°Working all morning must have been tiring. I brought lunch for everyone, please have some.¡±


    Bree¡¯s tone softened into that of a caring mother.


    Brandon thanked her and went to eat. As Bree watched him walk away, she remarked, ¡°That young


    man seems strong and handy.¡±


    I understood the implication behind her words. She viewed Brandon as a mereborer. Last night,


    Chris had been the one expressing his disdain for Brandon. Today, it was Bree¡¯s turn.


    I finally realized the purpose of her visit. She must have heard something from Chris and came to


    see Brandon for herself.


    ¡°He¡¯s the engineer in charge of all lighting works.¡± I rified.


    However, as the chairman¡¯s wife who had met all sorts of influential people, she just gave me a faint


    smile.


    ¡°You must be hungry. Let¡¯s have lunch in the office. We can talk while we eat.¡± Bree suggested


    warmly.


    ¡°Okay.¡± I agreed.


    When we reached the office, the driver had already set up the table beautifully with all my favorite


    food.


    I was certain it was different from what Kara and the others were having.


    ¡°Thank you, Bree.¡± My voice was filled with gratitude.


    ¡°This was the only way to see you since you won¡¯te home,¡± she said as she gestured for me to


    sit. ¡°Dig in, or it won¡¯t taste as good when it gets cold.


    9


    I didn¡¯t hold back and started eating.


    ¡°Slow down.¡± Breeughed at my enthusiasm.


    ¡°It¡¯s so good,¡± I replied, ying along. I wasn¡¯t being insincere. I¡¯d just grown ustomed to


    behaving this way after living with the Gildons for so long.


    It made everyone happy, so why not?


    ¡°Maddie, is there really no hope left between you and Chris?¡± Bree finally asked.


    N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.


    I froze for a brief second before nodding.


    Bree sighed. ¡°It¡¯s his loss, and a loss for Zack and I.¡±


    ¡°No, Bree. It¡¯s my loss.¡± I felt a wave of sadness.


    r me over the wor


    I had felt Zack and Bree¡¯s genuine care


    While I wasn¡¯t too sad about leaving Chris, it was hard to part with these loving figures before


    1. me.


    ¡°Sigh, it¡¯s no use forcing a rtionship. Since you already made up your mind, I


    won¡¯t press you any longer.¡± Her words brought a sense of relief as I had been worried she would


    insist forcefully.


    As I lowered my head to drink some soup, she continued, ¡°Even though you and Chris won¡¯t be


    together, I still hope to pair you with a good man.¡± with a good man.¡±


    She couldn¡¯t be hinting at me and Conrad, could she?


    ¡°Bree, I¡¯m not interested in getting into another rtionship.¡± I quickly interjected, cutting off any


    further suggestions.

 Redmption 98

    Redmption 98


    Bree was visibly taken aback for a moment, then she smiled warmly.


    ¡°What are you saying, child? You can¡¯t lose faith in men just because of that rascal. While there


    certainly are bad men out there, there are plenty more good ones,¡± Bree said with a touch of


    humor.


    Even in her 50s, she spoke with a modern ir.


    Iughed. ¡°There are good men. I¡¯m just not interested for now. I need some time to myself,¡± I said


    to deter her from adding anything else. Some subjects were better left untouched to avoid


    awkwardness.


    ¡°I guess so.¡±


    I was relieved at her response, but then she quickly pivoted. ¡°Still, it¡¯s best to start looking early. The


    good ones get snapped up fast.¡±


    We bothughed before Bree added apliment, ¡°With how beautiful and kind you are, whoever


    ends up with you will be the luckiest man alive.¡±


    It made me nervous, but I yed along. ¡°It¡¯s as you said, only the best can match my worth. Until


    that manes along, I¡¯d rather wait.¡±


    ¡°Exactly, I agree. Never settle for less, and never¡­ just find anybody to settle with because of a


    little beartache.¡±


    Those words were clearly about Brandon.


    I responded directly. ¡°I would never enter into a rtionship carelessly. If I ever decide on someone,


    it would be because they¡¯re the best for me.¡±


    It was my way of letting Bree know that my decisions were based on careful consideration rather


    than on impulse, including my decision to let go of Chris.


    Bree looked at me, not saying anything more. Having watched me grow up over the past ten years,


    she knew of my temperament well.


    ¡°That¡¯s good to know,¡± she finally said, ending the conversation.


    I continued my meal quietly. When I was almost done, Bree suddenly asked, ¡± Did you visit your


    parents¡® hometown recently?¡±


    I looked up at her.


    ¡°Chris told me,¡± she exined. ¡°He still worries about you.¡±


    She chuckled. ¡°Even if you two did not end up as lovers, you still grew up. together. We¡¯re already


    family.¡±


    ¡°Mmhm.¡± I acknowledged softly.


    ¡°What made you think of returning to your parents¡® hometown?


    ¡°I remember your parents saying they sold their house there when they moved to Hilcord, and there


    weren¡¯t any rtives left there,¡± Bree approached the subject carefully.


    I was silent for a few seconds before speaking. ¡°My dad always talked about it when he was still


    alive. He said he would take me there someday. I wanted to fulfill his wish and also visit the ce I


    was born in.¡±


    I didn¡¯t hide this from Bree. It was the truth and wasn¡¯t anything that couldn¡¯t


    be shared.


    ¡°Did you find anything meaningful?¡± Bree asked.


    For some reason, Brandon was the first thing that came to mind, then the courtyard, and finally,


    Kelly.


    ¡°Things have changed,¡± I replied briefly. I didn¡¯t go into the details since they didn¡¯t concern her.


    ¡°It¡¯s been 20 years after all.¡± Breemented.


    I was still very young when my parents took me there. I couldn¡¯t even


    remember the exact location. Time had really gone by.


    ¡°Let us know when you go somewhere next time. We were worried about you.¡±


    I apologized. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Bree. That was my mistake.¡±


    ¡°Silly child. It¡¯s not your fault, it¡¯s just¡­¡± She trailed off, but I understood.


    Bree stayed with me until I finished eating, only leaving when I said I needed to


    get back to work.


    She reminded me again to go home once I had the time and assured me that Gildon estate would


    always be my home, N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.

 Redmption 99

    Redmption 99


    I agreed to Bree¡¯s request for the time being and saw her off before returning to work. However,


    when I got back, I only saw Kara. Brandon was missing.


    ¡°Where is he?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Mr. Lachy asked for him,¡± Kara replied.


    She stared at me. ¡°Maddie, even your future mother¨Cinw came to mediate. Are you-¡±


    ¡°I have no future with Chris. It doesn¡¯t matter who shows up. Don¡¯t overthink it.¡± I cut her off, making


    my stance clear once more.


    Kara sighed. ¡°Honestly, everything about Chris¡® family is great, except for the leading man himself.¡±


    Kara was right. The Gildons were a wonderful family, but I wasn¡¯t marrying into the family, I was


    marrying Chris. It didn¡¯t matter how wonderful they were if


    Chris wasn¡¯t the one.


    Even after Kara and I waited half an hour for Brandon, he still hadn¡¯t returned. I


    decided to call him, but it turned out he had left his phone in the rest area.


    ¡°Maddie, Brandon must be single. Look at how he just left his phone. If he had a girlfriend, he would


    have had his phone on him the entire time.¡± Karalmented based on her experience.


    I didn¡¯t delve into that with her. Instead, I checked the time and stood up. ¡°I¡¯m going to Mr. Lachy¡¯s


    office.¡±


    As I approached the door, I heard Brandon¡¯s voice. ¡°I dare say, if I¡¯m transferred, it will take at least


    half a month longer toplete the adjustments required, maybe even more.


    I was stunned. Brandon was being transferred? What was going on?


    I was a to push the door open when I heard Gordon from inside. ¡°Mr. Gildon said this was our


    responsibility and won¡¯t be counted against you.¡±


    I finally understood what this was about. I pushed the door open and walked in. ¡°I don¡¯t agree.¡±


    Gordon looked embarrassed when he saw me and quickly exined, ¡°Ms. Crown, this is an order


    from Mr. Gildon.¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. I¡¯m in charge of this amusement park project, and I won¡¯t agree to having a


    recement even if he says so.¡± I retorted firmly.


    Gordon looked troubled. I knew that he was just the messenger, so I said, ¡°Mr. Yates, please tell Mr.


    Gildon that this is my stance. If he insists on recing Mr. Howell, he can have me reced too.


    ¡°Ms. Crown-¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s get back to work, Mr. Howell.¡± I cut off Gordon and called out to Brandon.


    He didn¡¯t move, so I went over, grabbed him, and marched toward the door. But as soon as we


    reached the door, we ran into Chris. His eyes immediately fell on my hand holding Brandon¡¯s.


    First, Chris told Bree about Brandon and had her probe him, and now he was trying to get Brandon


    transferred. How did I not see how despicable this man was before?


    I saw the anger in his eyes, followed by his cold, mocking tone. ¡°Ms. Crown, did you think I wouldn¡¯t


    fire you?¡±


    ¡°Then do it!¡± I challenged.


    Chris was livid. Right then, Brandon spoke up. ¡°I¡¯d like to know why you want to have me reced,


    Mr. Gildon.¡±


    ¡°You failed to follow our directives and took unauthorized breaks, causing dys to the project. That


    is the reason.¡± Chris responded immediately.


    ¡°I told you. I already agreed to it.¡± I defended.


    Chris red at me. ¡°Did you think he doesn¡¯t need to be held ountable just because you agreed


    to it?¡±


    Sensing the tense atmosphere, Mr. Lachy quickly came forward. ¡°Mr. Gildon, it was indeed


    inappropriate for Mr. Howell to take unauthorized breaks. It won¡¯t happen again.¡±


    ¡°Why not? It¡¯s my right to take breaks.¡± Brandon stood his ground.


    ¡°Even if he doesn¡¯t take a break, I need to rest too. He still won¡¯t be able to work


    then.¡± I backed him up.


    All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    Chris¡® expression darkenedpletely. His gaze fell on my hand holding Brandon¡¯s again. ¡°Ms.


    Crown,e with me. I need to talk to you.¡±


    Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out!

 Redmption 100

    Redmption 100


    Chris spoke in a domineering tone, as if he were ready to tear into me, but I wasn¡¯t afraid. I


    had something to say to him too. I let go of Brandon, but he immediately took hold of my


    hand.


    Our eyes met, and I recognized the look in his eyes. It was the same protective look he had


    when Hammy schemed against me back in Amaty, causing me to


    fall.


    But I didn¡¯t need it now. I withdrew my hand and told him, ¡°Mr. Gildon can¡¯t hurt


    me.¡±


    Brandon finally let me go, and I followed Chris, who was visibly agitated.


    Gordon hurried to keep up, but Chris snapped at him after a few steps, ¡°This doesn¡¯t


    concern you.¡±


    Gordon froze in fear, casting me a cautious nce.


    Chris kept walking. I didn¡¯t know where he was headed, so I called out,¡± Mr. Gildon, if you


    have something to say, you can tell me now.¡±


    He didn¡¯t stop, but I did. I said to his back, ¡°Mr. Gildon, say whatever you need to say here. I


    have work to do, and you¡¯re already wasting my time.¡±


    Chris stopped and turned to re at me coldly. As I approached him, he grabbed my arm,


    spun me around, and pinned me against the wall.


    His icy breath and the face I had admired for ten years loomed over me. His nose was almost


    touching mine.


    ¡°Madeline, you¡¯ve got some nerve trying to threaten me.¡±


    My back throbbed from being pinned. This man was impulsive and got angry. easily. That


    was why, for the past decade, I had always treaded carefully


    around him, fearing his explosive temper


    I


    For some reason, seeing him like this now left a bad taste in my mouth. I looked at him


    fearlessly. ¡°I simply don¡¯t want your impulsiveness to jeopardize the project timeline.¡±


    Chris didn¡¯t say anything this time. He just stared at me intently. ¡°Are you


    212


    dating that Howell guy for real?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± I replied truthfully.


    He sneered. ¡°Hah! You¡¯re so protective of him and even held his hand. What do you mean


    no? Do you think I¡¯m blind?¡±


    I wanted tough. ¡°If holding hands meant we¡¯re dating, what about kissing?¡±


    Chris¡¯ eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets. ¡°You kissed him? Have you also -¡°He didn¡¯t


    finish his sentence, but I knew he wanted to ask if I had slept with


    him.


    ¡°I¡¯m referring to you and Jewel, Chris.¡± I revealed what I had overheard.


    I could feel his hand go stiff. ¡°W-What are you talking about?¡±


    N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.


    ¡°I heard it myself yesterday at the restaurant. Is it not true?¡± I continued calmly,¡± I didn¡¯t


    expect you to have no shame, Chris. While your good friend was still alive, you were already


    romantically involved with his wife.¡±


    Derick once said never to covet a brother¡¯s wife. I thought he was just


    following along with what Chris was saying then, but now that I think about it, it appeared


    like Derick had been hinting at something.


    It¡¯s not what you think.¡± Chris shook his head. His expression shifted from anger to


    distress.


    I stayed silent. It was a fact that they kissed. Did it matter how they ended up kissing?


    ¡°I was drunk then. I-I¡­¡± He stammered, seemingly at a loss for words.

 Redmption 101

    Redmption 101


    I continued Chris¡® sentence with a smile, ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you mistook her for me.¡±


    ¡°I-¡± Chris started to speak.


    But I cut him off, ¡°Chris, you hardly ever kissed me.¡±


    He grimaced. In the three years we were together, we held hands and cuddled, yet we rarely


    shared a passionate kiss.


    When he did kiss me, he would kiss my hand, cheeks, or forehead. Even if he did kiss me on the


    lips, it was always barely a peck.


    My statement left him at aplete loss for words, but it also irritated him. He suddenly let me go


    and ran his hand through his hair. ¡°Yes. I made a mistake and kissed her on impulse, but it meant


    nothing.¡±


    N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    ¡°Will it only mean something if you sleep with her?¡± I mocked.


    Chris¡® frustration boiled over. ¡°Am I really that vile to you? If I were that kind of person, I would¡¯ve


    slept with you a long time ago. It would never havee to


    this.¡±


    I was taken aback, then Iughed.


    Did he mean I wouldn¡¯t have kicked up a fuss in this situation if we had slept together?


    There was no logical reasoning behind his thoughts. Did he think we were still living in the olden


    days when women could only be with one man?


    Instead of delving into it further, I delivered a sharp retort, saying, ¡°But you weren¡¯t interested in me.


    Isn¡¯t that why you never slept with me?¡±


    Only then did I realize that his words, though once hurt me deeply, now served as a powerful


    weapon against him.


    Chris¡® eyes narrowed. ¡°Madeline, you still can¡¯t get over that, can you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve gotten over it. We broke up, but you¡¯re the one who keeps bothering me and forcing me to


    bring up our past,¡± I reminded.


    ¡°Broke up?¡± Chris sneered. ¡°Don¡¯t think I don¡¯t know you left me to be with


    Brandon. You two were associated way earlier and were already living together in Amaty.¡±


    I wasn¡¯t surprised that he knew I had been in Amaty. After all, Bree had already mentioned it. But I


    didn¡¯t expect him to think Brandon and I had already known each other for a long time.


    ¡°If that¡¯s what you want to believe, fine. At least I only met Brandon after we broke up, unlike you,


    who kissed your good friend¡¯s wife while he was still alive. ¡°I shot back in the face of his tantrums.


    I noticed that he grew agitated whenever brought up him and Jewel. I wondered if it was because of


    guilt or something else.


    ¡°So, you¡¯re protecting Brandon now and refusing to let him go just so you can use work as an


    excuse to date him?¡±


    His ability to turn the tables never failed to amaze me.¡±


    ¡°If you say so.¡±


    I didn¡¯t deny it.


    He glowered. ¡°Madeline, believe it or not, I can make him disappear from the industry right now.¡±


    ¡°I believe you.¡± I looked him straight in the eyes. ¡°If he goes, I go. If he disappears, I disappear with


    him.¡±


    ¡°You¡± Chris raised a finger at me.


    ¡°Chris Gildon, you¡¯re the one who cheated on me. You¡¯re the one who got bored. I gave you what


    you wanted, but you¡¯re still harassing me. Don¡¯t you find that pathetic?¡± I didn¡¯t hold back.


    ¡°Harassing you? I¡¯m just trying to stop you from making a mistake. You have no idea how deceitful


    men can be,¡± Chris said as he tugged at his cor.


    ¡°I don¡¯t need to know. You¡¯ve already shown me.


    Chris froze at my words. He stared at me with wide eyes, as if he couldn¡¯t believe that was how I


    saw him.


    I focused on the key points of our argument and said decisively, ¡°Chris, just to be clear again, I stay


    only if Brandon stays. If you have him transferred or do


    Chap 101


    1/3


    anything to him, I¡¯ll follow.¡±


    With that, I turned around and walked away, not seeing his hands drop in defeat behind me. I also


    missed the deste look in his eyes, as if he had just lost his entire world.


    Spin to im Your Surprise Reward!

 Redmption 102

    Redmption 102


    When Derick arrived at the billiard hall, he saw Chris striking cue balls. furiously. It was obvious he


    was there to blow off steam.


    Instead of stopping him, Derick picked up a cue stick and walked over. ¡°Same old rules. You up for


    a game?¡±


    Chris ignored him and continued striking cue balls. When he failed to pocket a ball even after


    multiple tries, he threw the cue stick onto the table and stormed


    out.


    Derick put down his cue stick and walked over to him. ¡°What did Madeline do to upset you this


    time?¡±


    N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.


    ¡°Who said this was because of her? Don¡¯t bring her up in front of me,¡± Chris snapped.


    Derick chuckled. ¡°Only she can make you lose control like that. Are you having a hard time because


    she left you?¡±


    He was always direct with his words.


    Chris suddenly turned around and grabbed Derick¡¯s cor. ¡°Cut it out.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Derick looked at him calmly.


    Chris¡® mouth moved, but he let go in the end. He wanted to tell Derick to stay away from Madeline,


    but that would mean admitting he cared about her.


    How could he not care?


    He already knew she would be his wife the moment she stepped foot in their house at the age of


    ten.


    But for some reason, he didn¡¯t reject the idea. On the contrary, he started protecting her as if she


    were already his little wife.


    He protected her for ten years, and she rightfully became his girlfriend. She stood by his side,


    obedient and always within his reach.


    Now that she left him for another man, it felt like someone had taken his toy.


    2/3


    ¡°You know what I¡¯m talking about.¡± Chris red at Derick.


    As the clear¨Cheaded bystander of their rtionship, Derick reminded him,¡± Chris, you actually love


    Madeline.¡±


    Chris was momentarily stunned before scoffing. ¡°Love her? I don¡¯t love her. I just got used to her.


    Do you get it? Just like you¡¯re used to ying billiards with your left hand.¡±


    Seeing that Chris was still being stubborn, Derick nodded helplessly and asked, ¡°So, why are you


    mad?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m mad that she doesn¡¯t know any better. Forget It! She can do whatever she wants from now on. I


    can¡¯t be bothered anymore.¡±


    Chris waved his hand dismissively, as if he didn¡¯t want to discuss the matter


    further.


    Derick didn¡¯t press him and sat down to make some coffee instead.


    Chris just sat there, lost in thought. After a while, he said, ¡°She loves me. She wouldn¡¯t have said


    those things otherwise. She¡¯s just jealous and waiting for me to persuade her.¡±


    ¡°Then, persuade her,¡± Derick said as he poured Chris a cup.


    ¡°Persuade her?¡± Chris scoffed. ¡°You can¡¯t spoil women like that. You coax them once, and they¡¯ll


    make bigger fuss the next time. Then, you¡¯ll be buttering them up for the rest of your life.


    Derick took a sip of his coffee. ¡°Aren¡¯t women meant to be pampered? Do you think they¡¯re just


    there for your pleasure and to bear children?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant,¡± Chris denied.


    ¡°Then, what do you mean?¡± Derick looked at him.


    Chris met his gaze, seemingly unsure of how to respond. In the end, he said, Look. Madeline might


    be throwing a fit now, but once she¡¯s cooled down, she¡¯lle back to me.¡±


    Derick put down his cup. ¡°Maybe.¡±


    Chris shot him a look. ¡°She definitely will.


    I received a message from Derick.


    ¡°You¡¯re getting bolder. You pissed off the president so much that he¡¯s taking it out on me.¡±


    I didn¡¯t reply. No matter what he meant by that or what his aim was, I had no intention of


    responding. Chris was already out of my life, and he wasn¡¯t worth my time or energy anymore.


    The incident earlier didn¡¯t affect my work with Brandon. It was already midnight by the time we


    wrapped things up.


    Kara was so sleepy she could barely keep her eyes open and kept yawning.


    For some reason, I didn¡¯t feel tired at all.


    As for Brandon, he was as energetic as ever. It was as if he were a robot that would never get


    tired.


    ¡°Maddie, you and Brandon make a great match,¡± Kara suddenlymented on our way back.


    Choot 103

 Redmption 103

    Redmption 103


    I immediately nced at Brandon and rebuked Kara, ¡°You must be so exhausted that you¡¯re


    spouting nonsense.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not talking nonsense. I¡¯m saying you two are workaholics. It feels like I can¡¯t hold on any


    longer.¡± Kara slumped in the car seat.


    ¡°You need to. We¡¯re almost done.¡± I had specifically checked the remaining lighting areas, and at


    our current pace, we should be done in ten days.


    ¡°How much longer?¡± Kara sounded like she couldn¡¯t get through another day.


    I nced at Brandon in the rearview mirror and replied, ¡°Around ten days, I


    guess.¡±


    ¡°Ten?¡± Kara sounded utterly dejected.


    When we arrived at the hotel, Kara had already fallen asleep. After failing to wake her up after


    several tries, I leaned close to her ear and whispered, ¡°If your don¡¯t wake up, I¡¯ll have Brandon carry


    you!¡±


    ¡°Sure. I want to be carried,¡± Kara said as she reached out her hands.


    Iughed and pulled her up. ¡°Come on. Let¡¯s go.¡±


    With her eyes half¨Cclosed, Kara let me lead her into the elevator and upstairs.


    When we arrived at our doors, Brandon, who had been silent, spoke up,¡±


    Madeline, I need to talk to you.¡±


    My heart skipped a beat. ¡°Alright.¡±


    Kara was so sleepy that she didn¡¯t think much of it and went inside.


    I turned to Brandon and asked, ¡°What is it, Mr. Howell?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve spoken to mypany. I¡¯ll be finishing the work here.¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± I responded.


    I wasn¡¯t surprised. If he had left, I would have truly quit as well.


    Even though the lighting works at the amusement park would continue to operate without us, it


    would be impossible to meet the deadline. Most


    importantly, the quality might differ as well.


    N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    Chris wouldn¡¯t want me to leave just yet, either. Since he didn¡¯t push Brandon¡¯spany to have


    Brandon reced, he was probably afraid I¡¯d make good on my threat.


    ¡°Are you nning to start your ownpany after this project ends?¡±


    Brandon¡¯s question took me by surprise. I hadn¡¯t expected him to see through. my intentions.


    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± I admitted.


    He nodded slightly. ¡°We can speed up our progress.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± I was puzzled.


    Speeding up our progress meant more overtime hours. Even if Brandon and I had no problems with


    that, Kara would neverst.


    ¡°There¡¯s no need to work overtime. We can finish ahead of schedule just by


    sticking to our current hours.¡±


    Iughed. ¡°You must be joking.¡±


    ¡°No. I¡¯m serious,¡± Brandon said with a straight face.


    I pursed my lips. ¡°There¡¯s no need for that. Let¡¯s justplete work on time as nned.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you want to leave? I¡¯ll hasten it so you can leave earlier.¡±


    His words stunned me.


    But I replied, ¡°No need. Even if we finish ahead of schedule, I won¡¯t leave until the amusement park


    passes all inspections and officially opens.¡±


    Brandon¡¯s gaze darkened slightly, but I didn¡¯t exin further. Since I didn¡¯t intend to get involved


    with him, there was no need to share my thoughts.


    The next day, Brandon had already started work when Kara and I arrived at the amusement park. I


    learned from the amusement park¡¯s manager that he had arrived at 5:00 am.


    It seemed like he still wanted to finish work ahead of schedule. He was going


    Chapte 103


    to work overtime himself without involving Kara and me.


    ¡°Good morning, Ms. Crown!¡± someone greeted from behind.


    ¡°Good morning!¡± I responded out of habit but immediately felt something off.


    Turning around, I saw Conrad dressed in work overalls and a safety helmet. I was stunned.

 Redmption 104

    Redmption 104


    10


    ¡°Conrad, what are you doing?¡±


    I looked at Conrad¡¯s outfit. Actually, I already knew what he was up to. He had to be here for work,


    but I still asked him such an obvious question.


    I simply thought the situation was funny. This was all because of Brandon¡¯s presence in my life.


    Was it necessary to mobilize the entire Gildon family?


    The most ridiculous thing was that Conrad had been living outside of the country for a few years.


    Shouldn¡¯t he return to whichever country he was working in? How did he even get into Gildon


    Corporation?


    Did this mean he was going to work in the country long¨Cterm?


    ¡°I¡¯m here for work. I¡¯ll be in your care from now on, Ms. Crown.¡± As expected, Conrad extended his


    hand toward me.


    Although I was taken aback, I also reached out, touching his fingers.¡± Wee, uh¡­¡±


    I hesitated, as I didn¡¯t know how I should address him. If he was working here, that meant that we


    were colleagues. Hence, I shouldn¡¯t call him by his first


    name.


    ¡°Just call me ¡®Conrad¡® like always.¡± He smiled gently.


    ¡°It¡¯s better to draw a line between our personal and professional lives. Mr. Chris has always required


    this of us.¡± I decided to draw out my trump card,


    Chris.


    Although I didn¡¯t know whose idea it was to ce Conrad here, Chris definitely knew of it. After all,


    he was thepany¡¯s executive president.


    If thepany appointed a random employee, Chris would probably be clueless about it. However,


    Conrad was the second¨Cin¨Cline to inherit Gildon Corporation as Chris¡® younger brother. It was


    impossible for Chris to be unaware of his employment here.


    Conrad also understood my underlying message. He answered, ¡°I¡¯m the executive director.¡±


    What kind of position was this? I had been in thispany for years, but this was the first time I


    heard of this role.


    Conrad exined, ¡°I¡¯m temporarily in charge of following up and wrapping up the progress of the


    amusement park. Besides, I studied mechatronics. Perhaps I can help out on this recent issue.¡±


    After hearing this, I couldn¡¯t help but feel a deep sense of exasperation. Conrad was probably not


    here to help, but to keep an eye on Brandon and me.


    It seemed that both Chris and Conrad didn¡¯t want me to be close to Brandon.


    Brandon came over. ¡°That¡¯s great! I suggested to Ms. Crown that we shorten our deadlinest


    night. Now that we have a new helping hand, we should be able to finish the work faster than


    expected!¡±


    He was even more epting of Conrad than I was.


    Hooked at Brandon in confusion.


    He looked back at me and said, ¡°Let¡¯s get a move on!¡±


    Then, turning to Conrad, he said, ¡°Mr. Gildon, since this is your first day, you! should get familiarized


    with our work procedures and our most urgent, current issues You are also an expert in this field!


    ¡°When you¡¯ve got an idea of how things work, we¡¯ll distribute the workload. I¡¯ be working with Ms.


    Cown as a team, while you can team up with Ms. Spraggins.¡±


    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    Hearing this, I turned toward Brandon in shock. Was he possessed by a CEO¡¯s spirit?


    How did he have the audacity to assign work to Conrad? He even ensured that Conrad had no way


    to monitor Brandon and me!


    Suddenly, I realized that although Brandon looked like a proper and fair person, he was actually


    rather maniptive.


    Conrad opened his mouth as if he wanted to protest, but Brandon didn¡¯t give him the chance.


    Brandon looked at me and said, ¡°Let¡¯s get to work.¡±


    Since things turned out this way, I had no other choice. I nodded at Conrad and


    3/3


    left with Brandon. Although I didn¡¯t look back, I could feel Conrad¡¯s gaze on me.


    To be honest, I felt really awkward and ufortable in this situation. A sense. of frustration rose in


    me.


    Chris sent Conrad to work here to make sure that nothing happened between Brandon and me, but


    Chris was clueless about Conrad¡¯s feelings for me.


    If Chris found out, he would surely cry over his stupidity.


    I was engrossed in my thoughts and didn¡¯t notice where I was going. Suddenly, my body was pulled


    toward one side.


    Brandon¡¯s strong arm hooked around mine as I bumped into his chest. The clean smell of soap


    enveloped me as his deep, maic voice sounded beside my ear, ¡°Watch where you¡¯re going and


    stop daydreaming.¡±


    Spin to im Your Surprise Reward!

 Redmption 105

    Redmption 105


    Truly, nothing ever escaped Brandon¡¯s notice.


    I stepped away from him and tried to alleviate the awkwardness. ¡°You


    overstepped just now. Conrad is my superior. How could you just assign work to him?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s ate¨Cjoiner. If I don¡¯t assign work to him, are we going to wait for him to assign work to us?¡±


    I couldn¡¯t find any way to refute Brandon¡¯s words.


    Conrad waspetent, but he didn¡¯t understand the work that Brandon and were doing.


    ¡°Why? Do you want to team up with him?¡± Brandon suddenly asked.


    ¡°Not at all,¡± I denied, then looked at him. I caught a glimpse of a smile that disappeared quickly.


    I worked with Brandon as usual, and Conrad didn¡¯te over again.


    However, Kara rushed over and asked, ¡°Maddie, what happened? Is Mr. Gildon here to monitor our


    progress?¡±


    ¡°Yes, and he¡¯s going to focus on monitoring you. He¡¯ll be on a team with you and participate in the


    testing.¡±


    Kara¡¯s eyes widened when she heard my words.


    She immediately protested, ¡°Maddie, that shouldn¡¯t be! I don¡¯t want to be on a team with Mr. Gildon!


    It¡¯s better for you to team up with him. He would never be angry with any mistakes you made.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t agree,¡± Brandon spoke up for me again.


    Kara and I looked at him, but he didn¡¯t look at either of us. He was still focused on his work, but he


    continued without missing a beat, repeating his words, ¡°I don¡¯t agree.


    We didn¡¯t expect him to give us such a reply. Kara looked at me while I pursed. my lips, trying not to


    laugh out loud.


    27


    ¡°Maddie, look¡­¡±


    Kara was about to speak up again, but Brandon said, ¡°Ms. Crown, could youe up here and


    help me see if there¡¯s any difference in the effect?¡±


    I immediately went up the elevator. During the ride in the elevator, Kara was pouting grumpily.


    The elevator stopped, and I walked up to Brandon. When I saw the content up there, I was taken


    aback.


    ¡°I insist on being in a team with you.¡±


    Was this the content that he was working on?


    I looked at him. ¡°You¡­¡±


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Brandon gave me a look as if he were daring me to agree to Kara¡¯s requests.


    1ughed with exasperation. In the next second, the testing contents reverted


    to normal. I stood beside him and watched him do testing with the control panel.


    ¡°Brandon, I think you¡¯re a two¨Cfaced person,¡± I couldn¡¯t help but tease him.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± He looked at me after saying that.


    His expression was serious. When I recalled that he was once a soldier, I felt like I might have


    misunderstood him. But thinking of how he acted since we met until now, I realized that he wasn¡¯t


    as innocent as he looked.


    Hence, I said, ¡°You act like you¡¯re prim and proper, but you¡¯re actually rather sneaky and


    deceptive.¡±


    ¡°Me?¡± Brandon looked utterly confused. ¡°Am I this kind of person in your eyes?¡±


    ¡°Are you not?¡± I retorted.


    Brandon didn¡¯t say anything but stare at me. Then, he fiddled with the control panel. A few seconds


    later, I felt the elevator start to sway.


    I got scared and instinctively wrapped my arms around him.


    Then, he said, ¡°Ms. Crown, what are you doing? It¡¯s not appropriate for others to see us like this.¡±


    I shut my eyes as I clung to him for dear life. ¡°Why is it swaying? Go check on it!


    Little did I know, Brandon was looking at the figure below us. He put his arms around me and bent


    down to whisper, ¡°Stop moving around, and it¡¯ll stop


    swaying.¡±

 Redmption 106

    Redmption 106


    I obediently stopped moving, but I also hugged Brandon tighter.


    I could hear the strong, steady thumping of his heartbeat. Only then did I realize that I was lying on


    his chest. However, I couldn¡¯t care less because I was too afraid.


    N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    My arms were practically squeezing him. This was the only way I could steady myself, making sure


    only the elevator was swaying.


    After a while, I felt that the elevator had stopped swaying. I also forgot to let go of Brandon until he


    said, ¡°Is that your new colleague?¡±


    I quickly pushed myself out of his embrace and looked down.


    What I saw shocked me! Moreover, rage started to burn inside me as I pressed the down button to


    descend.


    When I reached the lower ground, Jewel smiled at me with her signature simpering smile as she


    called out, ¡°Ms. Crown.¡±


    I wasn¡¯t as pleasant as her as I barked, ¡°What are you doing here?¡±


    I didn¡¯t want to be rude, but as a pregnant woman, it was unsafe for her to be here. Besides, this


    ce wasn¡¯t open to the public, and many things hadn¡¯t cleared the safety checks yet. If anything


    untoward happened, the


    responsibility was too great to bear for any party!


    Besides, her unborn child was an orphan, which was even more precious.


    However, her reply left me dumbfounded,


    She said, ¡°I¡¯m here to work.¡±


    I could hardly believe my ears. ¡°What did you say?¡±


    ¡°Mr. Chris wanted me toe here and oversee the safety checks.¡±


    I nearly exploded upon hearing that. ¡°Chris must be out of his mind! Are you telling me that he


    wanted you to follow up with the safety checks?¡±


    My velling caught the attention of others. Jewel wasn¡¯t here alone. She was also with the project¡¯s


    manager. Kara and Conrad were also here before Jewel


    2/2


    came.


    ¡°What do you mean, Ms. Crown?¡± Jewel looked wronged and ufortable.


    ¡°I mean, as a pregnant woman, it¡¯s not appropriate for you to be here.¡± While saying this, I whipped


    out my phone and called Chris.


    He didn¡¯t answer my call for a long while, and I started to wonder if he was ignoring me on purpose.


    He finally answered the call when it was about to drop. ¡°Ms. Crown, what¡¯s the matter?¡®


    I asked, ¡°Why did you send Jewel here?¡±


    I was asking him from a professional standpoint and had no other personal intentions. I always


    dared to say what was on my mind.


    ¡°She¡¯s there for work. Didn¡¯t she tell you? Chris said nonchntly.


    I looked at Jewel, then asked Chris, ¡°Is it appropriate for her to work here? Who¡¯s going to be


    responsible if anything happens to her?¡±


    ¡°That would be you, of course.¡±


    My jaw dropped.


    Without waiting for my reply, he continued, ¡°Madeline, you¡¯re the person in charge of the


    amusement park project.


    ¡°Not only do you need to ensure the amusement park ispleted and ready for operation in time,


    but you also need to ensure the safety of our employees. This is your responsibility. Do you


    understand?¡±


    After that, I realized he was doing this on purpose.


    One Conrad wasn¡¯t enough, so he ced Jewel here too to control me.


    I gripped the phone tightly. Looking at Jewel¡¯s pitiful expression, I snorted. ¡°If


    someone is hell¨Cbent on throwing themselves toward death, I can¡¯t be


    responsible for that.¡±


    Jewel¡¯s expression became uglier.


    Chris was finally angered as he eximed, ¡°Madeline, how could you be so


    cruel?¡±

 Redmption 107

    Redmption 107


    ¡°Mr. Chris, only my words are cruel here. There may be someone who¡¯s even more vicious. If you¡¯re


    worried, then remove her or¡­¡± I looked at Conrad and said, ¡°Shall I appoint someone to watch over


    her around the clock?


    Chris didn¡¯t understand my intentions. ¡°Sure. I can rest assured if Ms. Crown is willing to watch over


    her safety.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s impossible. I am not as free as you think.¡± I immediately hung up.


    Jewel spoke up, ¡°Ms. Crown, you don¡¯t need to be so hostile toward me. I can take care of myself.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re healthy and mentally sound. I believe you can do it, but what if the unthinkable happens?¡±


    Kara pursed her lips tightly so she wouldn¡¯t burst outughing at my remark


    ¡°Mr. Chris has also instructed me to get someone to protect you around the clock. I think watching


    you 24/7 isn¡¯t necessary.


    ¡°After all, when you are sleeping, only the person closest to you can protect you, right?¡± I said


    without holding back.


    Previously, I felt pity for her when I learned that her husband had passed away, However, now, I


    believed such a pitiful person must have done something to deserve it.


    ¡°Mr. Gildon!¡± I looked at Conrad and continued, ¡°You and Ms. Massey are new here. You can bring


    her to explore the park to familiarize yourself with the surroundings. That way, you can also guard


    her!¡±


    Conrad was stunned. He never expected me to do something like this.¡± Maddie, you¡­


    ¡°Mr. Gildon,¡± I interrupted him. ¡°You are the executive director of thepany and my higher¨Cup,


    but here, I am the person in charge. I make all the decisions here.¡±


    This was a special privilege that Chris gave to me. I never used it, but who knew I would be utilizing


    it when the project was almost over?


    Conrad was speechless.


    Jewel¡¯s expression was thunderous as she said, ¡°I don¡¯t need it. I can ensure my own safety!¡±


    It was impossible that she didn¡¯t know about Conrad and Chris¡® rtionship. She was flirtatious with


    Chris, but if she began sticking closely with Conrad at all times, Chris would definitely suspect


    something.


    ¡°I¡¯ve said I trust you, but I won¡¯t take the risk, either. Besides, Mr. Gildon isn¡¯t really your full¨Ctime


    bodyguard. He¡¯s just doing it on top of his usual duties. Ms. Massey, don¡¯t overthink things.¡±


    With that, I sealed her fate.


    Jewel could no longer retort and only looked at Conrad.


    When Conrad looked at me, he didn¡¯t say anything. He just uttered, ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll -follow your orders.¡±


    Now, Jewel was rendered speechless.


    ¡°Then, let¡¯s return to our work,¡± Imanded.


    Although Jewel was reluctant, she still left with Conrad. However, I heard herin to Conrad


    not a few seconds after they left. ¡°Conrad, how could you agree with her? She¡¯s putting us in a tight


    spot on purpose!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re overthinking this. She¡¯s only thinking of work and doesn¡¯t want you to get hurt.¡±


    Iughed at Conrad¡¯s reply.


    However, I also felt a little guilty toward him. Perhaps I shouldn¡¯t have taken out my anger toward


    Chris and Jewel on him. Still, he chose to be here.


    ¡°Maddie, you¡¯re so amazing.¡± Kara gave me a thumbs¨Cup.


    ¡°Just go do your work, or else, I will appoint you as Ms. Massey¡¯s full¨Ctime caretaker,¡± I threatened


    her.


    She immediately shook her head and left. ¡°Please, no! I¡¯m going now!¡±


    As everyone left, I became downcast. As much as I was authoritative and strong just now, I was


    also hurt and disappointed. Apparently, it wasn¡¯t enough


    for Chris to hurt me. He even ced Jewel here to disgust me.


    N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    Did he think that I hadn¡¯t suffered enough pain and humiliation?


    Suddenly, my vision dimmed. Arge hand blocked my sight.


    I was about to push the hand away when Brandon said, ¡°You did well.¡±


    He withdrew his hand, and I saw a lollipop before my eyes.


    I looked at him.


    He said, ¡°A reward.¡±


    Spin to im Your Surprise Reward!

 Redmption 108

    Redmption 108


    Rewarding me with a lollipop, did Brandon think I was a child?


    I was about to call him childish, but he had already pushed the lollipop into my hands. He took some


    water for himself and even brought my cup over as well. He sat on a chair and patted the spot


    beside him. ¡°Take a rest.¡±


    Why did I need to rest? I didn¡¯t even do anything except handle messy affairs. Nevertheless, since


    Brandon was sitting, I sat as well. Without him, I couldn¡¯t do any work even if I wanted to. Suddenly,


    I felt as if he was somehow manipting me.


    ¡°You were so fierce just now,¡± Brandon said.


    I drank some water. ¡°Was I?¡±


    ¡°Yes. It was scary.¡±


    I tilted my head quizzically at him


    He nodded and continued, ¡°It¡¯s true.¡±


    For some reason, he looked very charming like this. I felt odd that I was feeling this way for this


    handsome, uptight soldier boy, so I asked, ¡°Brandon, how old are you?¡±


    I was teasing him for being childish, but he replied seriously, ¡°I told you before.¡±


    I was confused.


    Before I could reply, he continued, ¡°When we were on a blind date.¡±


    I was speechless.


    He didn¡¯t wait for me to recall my memories, answering, ¡°I¡¯m 31 years old.¡±


    Although I got my answer, I didn¡¯t feel like talking anymore. Our thoughts. weren¡¯t even on the same


    wavelength.


    I continued to drink my water as he said, ¡°Mrs. Rhodes called me. She heard we were working


    together, so she wanted me to bring you back home when I finished work.¡±


    This was the first time Brandon brought up Kelly since he came here.


    It was unusual for him to mention her. I didn¡¯t ask about her because my core memory of Kelly was


    of her setting us up. If either of us mentioned it, we would feel awkward.


    Now that Brandon mentioned her, I couldn¡¯t just ignore him.


    Iughed awkwardly and said, ¡°Didn¡¯t you tell her you would be staying here. more often?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll see how it goes.¡±


    His reply made me turn to look at him.


    However, he didn¡¯t look at me. He tipped his head back to drink his water. His Adam¡¯s apple


    bobbed as he swallowed, and I followed suit, swallowing my saliva. Then, I looked away in


    embarrassment.


    ¡°I don¡¯t necessarily have to visit her with you,¡± I muttered.


    ¡°Why not?¡±


    So, he had good hearing.


    ¡°I like to do things alone.¡± I looked at Brandon again. ¡°I enjoy my ownpany.¡±


    I said this on purpose because I had no intention to develop our rtionship further. Hence, I


    needed to be clear about my intentions and draw boundaries with him. After all, I had plenty of


    unintentional close contact with him¨Clike when we were on the elevator previously.


    Thinking of this, I looked back at the elevator. ¡°Why did the elevator start swaying all of a sudden?¡±


    ¡°What?¡± He looked confused.


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you made it sway on purpose, did you?¡± I asked him directly.


    As someone who could control the entire amusement park¡¯s lighting system, it wouldn¡¯t be an issue


    for him to control the elevator. Besides, I wasn¡¯t moving around during the ride, and there was no


    wind. There was no way the elevator would start swaying for no reason.


    I


    ¡°You think I did that? Why would I?¡± With two questions, Brandon rendered me


    speechless again,


    He was right, why would he do that? Did he just want to prompt me into clinging to him?


    As I pondered that and his feelings toward me, I had a hunch that it could be


    true.


    All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    I gazed directly into his eyes to try and catch any guilt in them, but he just set the water aside. ¡°Let¡¯s


    go. We have work to do.¡±

 Redmption 109

    Redmption 109


    I didn¡¯t move while Brandon stood inside the elevator and said, ¡°Come here. Let¡¯s go up together.¡±


    I held the lollipop as he continued, ¡°There¡¯s some more testing that I want you to check on.¡±


    He also said the same thing just now, but he was just showing me some childish effects.


    I warned him, ¡°Brandon, it¡¯s working hours right now. Don¡¯t mess around and lie to me.


    ¡°Okay,¡± he replied obediently, but he still stood there, seemingly wouldn¡¯t leave until I got on the


    elevator.


    could only walk toward him. When I was about to get on the elevator, he tried to hold my arm, but I


    dodged him. However, when I stepped inside, the stairs suddenly shook. I instinctively reached out


    and grabbed his arm by chance.


    The awkwardness made me blush, but he only looked around and muttered, ¡°I have to get someone


    to check this thing. Why does it sway so easily?¡±


    I was speechless. This time, Brandon didn¡¯t joke around with me. When we went up, he started


    testing while I inspected the effects and made adjustments. However, I received Chris¡® call not even


    half an hour after we started. I had a bad feeling when I saw his number. His call was definitely not


    going to be about work but about someint from Jewel.


    Still, he was my superior now. I couldn¡¯t just ignore his call. Hence, I stood somewhere further on


    the elevator and answered the call, saying, ¡°Mr. Gildon.¡±


    Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    ¡°Madeline, you are so cruel!¡±


    The first thing Chris did was to scold me. I didn¡¯t need any further context because I already knew


    why he was berating me. Of course, his little darlingined to him.


    ¡°Mr. Gildon, I believe there¡¯s no issue with my arrangements. If anything, you¡¯re the problematic


    one.¡± I paused, then continued, ¡°You were the one who ced them here together, so I made


    arrangements that way.¡±


    2/3


    Chris was probably fuming. He didn¡¯t speak for a while, so I took the chance to say, ¡°I¡¯m very busy.


    If there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯m hanging up.¡±


    ¡°Immediately assign someone else to apany Jewel! You will apany her yourself,¡± Chris


    commanded.


    ¡°Chris, did your brain get caught in the door? Is she so important that I have to apany her


    myself? We need to test out the lighting in the amusement park right now. Shall we put that on


    hold?¡± I didn¡¯t hold back, either.


    ¡°I am ordering you to do this. You don¡¯t need to care about anything else.¡± Chris was using his


    status to dictate me.


    My grip on the handle of the elevator tightened. ¡°Chris, you can be a dictator and rage all you want,


    but I won¡¯t follow along with your shenanigans.¡±


    ¡°Then, I¡¯ll strip you of your title as the person in charge of the amusement park with immediate


    effect. You¡¯lle back to work in the office.¡±


    Chris¡® decision surprised me.


    I was quiet for a while. ¡°Chris, are you for real?¡±


    ¡°Do you think I¡¯m joking?¡± Chris scoffed. ¡°Madeline, don¡¯t think that the amusement park is going to


    fall apart without you.¡±


    Hearing this, I knew he wasn¡¯t joking. Looking at the amusement park around 50 feet above ground,


    felt empty and sad at the same time.


    After Chris¡® betrayal, I was willing to swallow my pride and stay on this project just toplete it. It


    was also to fulfill my dream, but in the end, I couldn¡¯t do it.


    This was probably the feeling of regret that people always talked about. It was just like how my


    parents loved me and wanted to watch me grow up and get married, but they passed away too


    soon.


    Since one couldn¡¯t expect everything to go their way, I wouldn¡¯t cling on either.


    ¡°Alright,¡± I agreed. ¡°I¡¯ll return to the office right now.¡±


    I hung up and couldn¡¯t help but tremble. After a while, I recovered enough to say, ¡°Brandon, I have


    to return to the office. I can¡¯t apany you to continue the testing, but I hope you can still


    complete it.¡±


    His eyebrows furrowed. Seeing his expression, I had a hunch that he would


    1/3


    probably follow me if I left. It wasn¡¯t because I was narcissistic, but this was the feeling that he gave


    me.


    ¡°This amusement park is my dream. I want to see itpleted well,¡± I murmured.


    After a long while, Brandon said, ¡°Alright.

 Redmption 110

    Redmption 110


    I went back to the office, and it just so happened that Chris was also there.


    ¡°Mr. Gildon, here¡¯s my resignation letter. My resignation has also been. submitted via the phone


    application to the human resources department.¡± I handed him the resignation letter that I had


    prepared long ago.


    I


    Chris skimmed through it and flung it on the table. He red at me. ¡°Madeline, you¡¯re getting more


    and more out of hand.¡±


    He still thought that I was messing around. However, I never messed around with him from the


    moment we met until now.


    Previously, it was because I was staying with his family, so I had no right to be troublesome. Later, I


    liked him, so I tried to be pleasant as well.


    ¨C Actually, before my parents passed away I was the apple of their eye.


    Naturally, I had a bit of a temper and could be childish and selfish. After I stayed with the Gildons,


    things like throwing tantrums disappeared from my


    life.


    ¡°Am I the kind of person to mess around? What have I ever done to trouble you? ¡°I asked lightly.


    Chris opened his mouth, but he couldn¡¯t say anything.


    I was determined to make things clear. ¡°Between us, you¡¯re the one who has always been messing


    around. In your eyes, I¡¯m just your toy.


    ¡°You will pet my head and cajole me when you¡¯re bored, but when life is grand. for you, you will toss


    me aside.¡±


    ¡°If you think of me like that, you¡¯re really quite heartless,¡± Chris rebuked.


    He would never think he was wrong, so no matter what I said, he wouldn¡¯t


    admit it.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Iughed mockingly. ¡°Yes. I¡¯m heartless.


    ¡°What kind of attitude is this? Have I wronged you?¡± He seemed like he wanted to settle scores with


    me.


    I merely looked at him. ¡°No. You¡¯re so amazing, yet I still want to break up with


    2/3


    you. Aren¡¯t I heartless?¡±


    Chris¡® face nearly turned green. ¡°Stop saying such weird things.¡±


    ¡°Then, what do you want me to say? Chris, you are angry at me, so everything I say or do is wrong.


    I¡¯ll get out of your sight if I leave! Isn¡¯t that much better?¡±


    Chris¡® hand that was ced on the table started knocking on it in irritation.¡± Madeline, I know the


    reason for your temper tantrum isn¡¯t because of me. It¡¯s because your affections have changed.¡±


    He was so determined to me me that he started pulling things out of his arse!


    ¡°You¡¯ve been hooking up with Brandon for a long time, right?¡± Chris asked directly.


    Since he was so certain, I couldn¡¯t care less about refuting him. ¡°Not as long as you and Jewel.¡±


    He jumped from his chair. ¡°Are you really with him?¡±


    Ah, so he was just trying to bait me. I reminded him, ¡°That¡¯s my business. I don¡¯t think I have to


    inform you. We broke up, and you agreed to it.¡±


    ¡°I did not,¡± Chris replied. His audacity surprised me.


    He strode around his office table to stand in front of me. Then, he grabbed me and pulled me


    against his chest.


    His arms circled around me. ¡°Madeline, have you forgotten who you are? You are my woman, and


    you¡¯ve been one since the day you entered the Gildon family.¡±


    His expression was daunting, but I was unafraid. ¡°Yes. I also thought I was your wife, so I stayed by


    your side like an obedientpdog.


    ¡°However, you were the one who ditched me halfway. Since you prefer the women outside,


    especially widows, I¡¯ll agree to your wishes. Isn¡¯t that perfect?¡±


    ¡°Stop this nonsense! There¡¯s nothing going on between Jewel and me!¡± he denied again.


    ¡°Chris, I never thought that you would stoop so low. You¡¯ve kissed her, but you call it nothing. Then,


    what counts as something? Sleeping together or knocking


    her up as well?¡± I hurt him with my unforgiving words.

 Redmption 111

    Redmption 111


    Chris¡® arms tightened around me even more. ¡°I¡¯ve already exined to you that I was drunk and


    befuddled at that time.¡±


    ¡°If you can make a mistake once, you can also make a mistake twice. As for me, some mistakes


    shouldn¡¯t bemitted even once.¡± I made my stance clear once again.


    ¡°Stop fucking ttering yourself!¡± Chris swore at me.


    This side of him made me even more disappointed in him. I started to think that my brain must have


    been filled with sand. If not, why would I like such a pathetic creature like him?


    ¡°Madeline, you want to leave me so much just so you can fool around with other men. Don¡¯t think


    that I¡¯m stupid!¡± He was still trying to win the argument.


    I was tired of arguing with him. ¡°If you want to think that way, sure, whatever! I know you¡¯re prideful


    and can¡¯t forgive others who betray you.


    ¡°You should let go of such an unloyal, loose woman like me! Let me disappear from your sight.


    Wouldn¡¯t that be better?¡±


    I was trying to get myself out of this situation, but Chris became even angrier. He lowered his head


    to kiss me.


    I tried desperately to dodge him, especially when I remembered that he kissed Jewel with those


    lips. It made me mad!


    But the more I dodged, the more frustrated he became.


    He pressed me on the table and shoved his hand beneath my clothes. ¡°If you¡¯re not letting me kiss


    you, who do you want to kiss? Is it Brandon? Did you sleep with him? Huh?¡±


    His scornful words and crazed actions made me furious, humiliated, and


    fearful. As his hands moved up my waist, I grabbed something. Without even


    fearful. As his hands moved


    thinking, I smashed it toward his head.


    With a loud bang, I felt his wandering hands stop. Then, I saw his shocked


    expression looking back at me. Something flowed down his cheek.


    2/2


    It was blood!


    The warm blood dripped on my eyelid before sliding across the corner of my eye.


    My hand shook as the back of my head was cupped.


    Chris¡® cold voice sounded beside my ear, ¡°Madeline, you¡¯d better listen up. You are mine!¡±


    Then, his weight on me disappeared, and I scrambled to get up. As I opened my eyes, I saw Chris


    holding his head while striding out of the room.


    My legs shook. It was only because I supported myself with the table behind me that I didn¡¯t fall.


    ¡°Mr. Gildon, you¡¯re bleeding!¡± I heard someone scream from afar.


    ¡°Shut up!¡± Chris roared. Then, his footsteps receded.


    I also closed my eyes wearily. After a while, I opened them again. I didn¡¯t want my colleagues to


    see my disheveled state, so I went to the restroom in his office.


    Standing in front of the mirror, I saw Chris¡® blood on the corner of my eye. It was bright red, looking


    like I had just cried blood.


    I wiped it with a wet wipe and left thepany quickly.


    As I drove home, Lisa called me. ¡°Maddie, I saw Chris just now! He was hit in the head!¡±


    ¡°Did you see him at the hospital?¡± I asked in a low voice.


    ¡°Yes. His assistant was with him. It looked kind of serious.¡± Lisa paused, then asked, ¡°Surely you


    aren¡¯t pitying him?¡±


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    ¡°What if I was the one who hit his head?¡±


    She gasped at my words.


    After a while, she said, ¡°Did he do something to you?¡±


    I recalled how crazy Chris had been in the office. ¡°He wanted to rape me.¡±

 Redmption 112

    Redmption 112


    Lisa shouted, ¡°Then, you were too soft on him! You should have split that bastard¡¯s head open like a


    melon!


    ¡°He wouldn¡¯t touch you when you were his wife, but now, he wants to force himself on you! You¡¯ve


    done nothing wrong by smashing his head!¡±


    Lisa¡¯s ranting bore no trace of the professionalism of the cold but amazing


    obstetrician.


    I exined, ¡°He¡¯s just a typical jealous and insecure man. He always thought I couldn¡¯t bear to


    leave him. Now that he realizes I¡¯m not ying his games anymore, he¡¯s getting frustrated.¡±


    Lisa agreed and added, ¡°He¡¯s realizing far toote that he loves you so much to the point where he


    can¡¯t bear the thought of you being with other men.¡±


    Was that so?


    To stop me and Brandon from working together, he first assigned Conrad, then/ Jewel, to work with


    me. Because of that, I couldn¡¯t even finish my work at the amusement park.


    However, Brandon promised me that he wouldplete the project.


    ¡°Maddie, remember this. Every time Chris messes with you again, punch him! Once he gets scared,


    he won¡¯t do such things again,¡± Lisa instructed me..


    ¡°Okay,¡± I agreed.


    Someone called for Lisa. Before she hung up, she said, ¡°I¡¯ll check on him in a while to see if he died


    from blood loss.¡±


    I chuckled, but then, a wave of sadness washed over me.


    After a while, I got out of the car. When my neighbors saw me return, they greeted me, ¡°Miss, why


    are you back all by yourself? Where¡¯s your boyfriend?¡±


    When I remembered how the neighborhooddies gave Brandon their unsolicited advice, Iughed.


    ¡°Why? Is it time to clean our corridors again?¡±


    They chuckled. ¡°No, no! We just think that the young guy is not bad. He¡¯s handsome and hard¨C


    working. You should cherish him.¡±


    2/3


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    I went upstairs. However, I was taken aback when I reached the top of the stairs. The door opposite


    my unit was wide open, and someone was throwing things out.


    No one had ever stayed there since I moved in. Now that their belongings were also blocking my


    door, I could only walk in and ask, ¡°Are you moving houses?¡±


    A middle¨Caged woman looked at me. ¡°You are¡­¡±


    I pointed to my unit. ¡°I live there.¡±


    me,¡±


    She instantly understood. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry. I rented out this unit. The tenant asked me to tidy it up a bit,


    hence the mess. Let me rearrange the stuff so you can


    enter your house.¡±


    I thanked her and then looked around the unit. It was much more run¨Cdown


    than mine. If it were me, I wouldn¡¯t even want to rent it. The tenant was probably not in the best


    financial condition.


    ¡°Ma¡¯am, can I know whether this tenant is male or female?¡± As I was going to be their neighbor, I


    wanted to know.


    ¡°It¡¯s a man. Quite a handsome young man!¡± She finished clearing the path to my door.


    A man?


    For some reason, I felt a little ufortable. After all, it still felt a little unsafe to have a strange


    man as a neighbor.


    However, I had no say in this matter. After I thanked the woman, I went inside my house and


    plopped on the couch immediately. My thoughts were all jumbled up as I looked up at the ceiling. I


    also felt exhausted.


    Although I didn¡¯t struggle too much while fighting with Chris, I feltpletely drained. I shut my


    eyes, trying not to think about it, but my thoughts became messier.


    Finally, I opened my eyes and got up to cook something in the kitchen. Only then could I distract


    myself.


    I was making potato soup when my phone rang. It was from Conrad.


    3/3


    ¡°Maddie,e back to the amusement park now. Nobody can fire you.¡±


    ¡°Conrad, I¡¯ve submitted my resignation letter,¡± I said calmly.


    Before I left the amusement park, I really felt the project would fail without me. Even if it seeded,


    it wouldn¡¯t be up to my standards. However, now that I


    left, I felt nothing.


    This feeling was like when I let go of Chris.


    1) Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.

 Redmption 113

    Redmption 113


    ¡°Your resignation is rejected,¡± Conrad said authoritatively, with the demeanor of the head of the


    house


    Lisa shouted, ¡°Then, you were too soft on him! You should have split that bastard¡¯s head open lik e


    a melon!


    ¡°He wouldn¡¯t touch you when you were his wife, but now, he wants to force himself on you! You¡¯ve


    done nothing wrong by smashing his head!¡±


    Lisa¡¯s ranting bore no trace of the professionalism of the cold but amazing


    obstetrician.


    I exined, ¡°He¡¯s just a typical jealous and insecure man. He always thought I couldn¡¯t bear to


    leave him. Now that he realizes I¡¯m not ying his games anymore, he¡¯s getting frustrated.¡±


    Lisa agreed and added, ¡°He¡¯s realizing far toote that he loves you so much to the point where he


    can¡¯t bear the thought of you being with other men.¡±


    Was that so?


    To stop me and Brandon from working together, he first assigned Conrad, then/ Jewel, to work with


    me. Because of that, I couldn¡¯t even finish my work at the amusement park.


    However, Brandon promised me that he wouldplete the project.


    ¡°Maddie, remember this. Every time Chris messes with you again, punch him! Once he gets scared,


    he won¡¯t do such things again,¡± Lisa instructed me..


    ¡°Okay,¡± I agreed.


    Someone called for Lisa. Before she hung up, she said, ¡°I¡¯ll check on him in a while to see if he died


    from blood loss.¡±


    I chuckled, but then, a wave of sadness washed over me.


    After a while, I got out of the car. When my neighbors saw me return, they greeted me, ¡°Miss, why


    are you back all by yourself? Where¡¯s your boyfriend?¡±


    When I remembered how the neighborhooddies gave Brandon their unsolicited advice, Iughed.


    ¡°Why? Is it time to clean our corridors again?¡±


    They chuckled. ¡°No, no! We just think that the young guy is not bad. He¡¯s handsome and hard¨C


    working. You should cherish him.¡±


    2/3


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    I went upstairs. However, I was taken aback when I reached the top of the stairs. The door opposite


    my unit was wide open, and someone was throwing things out.


    No one had ever stayed there since I moved in. Now that their belongings were also blocking my


    door, I could only walk in and ask, ¡°Are you moving houses?¡±


    A middle¨Caged woman looked at me. ¡°You are¡­¡±


    I pointed to my unit. ¡°I live there.¡±


    me,¡±


    She instantly understood. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry. I rented out this unit. The tenant asked me to tidy it up a bit,


    hence the mess. Let me rearrange the stuff so you can


    enter your house.¡±


    I thanked her and then looked around the unit. It was much more run¨Cdown


    than mine. If it were me, I wouldn¡¯t even want to rent it. The tenant was probably not in the best


    financial condition.


    ¡°Ma¡¯am, can I know whether this tenant is male or female?¡± As I was going to be their neighbor, I


    wanted to know.


    ¡°It¡¯s a man. Quite a handsome young man!¡± She finished clearing the path to my door.


    A man?


    For some reason, I felt a little ufortable. After all, it still felt a little unsafe to have a strange


    man as a neighbor.


    However, I had no say in this matter. After I thanked the woman, I went inside my house and


    plopped on the couch immediately. My thoughts were all jumbled up as I looked up at the ceiling. I


    also felt exhausted.


    Although I didn¡¯t struggle too much while fighting with Chris, I feltpletely drained. I shut my


    eyes, trying not to think about it, but my thoughts became messier.


    Finally, I opened my eyes and got up to cook something in the kitchen. Only then could I distract


    myself.


    I was making potato soup when my phone rang. It was from Conrad.


    3/3


    ¡°Maddie,e back to the amusement park now. Nobody can fire you.¡±


    ¡°Conrad, I¡¯ve submitted my resignation letter,¡± I said calmly.


    Before I left the amusement park, I really felt the project would fail without me. Even if it seeded,


    it wouldn¡¯t be up to my standards. However, now that I


    left, I felt nothing.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    This feeling was like when I let go of Chris.


    1)


    old.


    I knew that he had the authority to do this. Even if he didn¡¯t, he could also ask Zack to step in and


    invalidate Chris¡® words. But I didn¡¯t want that to happen.


    To discourage him, I said, ¡°Mr. Chris has already agreed.¡°.


    After all, Chris was the real head of Gildon Corporation, while Conrad was not.


    Conrad stayed silent for a while. Then, after a few seconds, he asked, ¡°Where are you?¡±


    Aside from Lisa and Brandon, no one else knew I had moved here. Nevertheless, I couldn¡¯t


    guarantee that Conrad would never find out.


    He had feelings for me and even remembered the phone that I kept. Perhaps he would also be able


    to gues¡¯s my new ce of residence.


    Still, I didn¡¯t want to tell him yet. ¡°Conrad the amusement park was the fruit of mybor for two


    years. As for the rest, I have to trouble you toplete it.¡±


    ¡°Maddie¡­¡±


    ¡°Conrad, let¡¯s stop talking about this.¡±


    I ended the call and looked at the bubbling potato soup in the pot. It smelled


    great.


    I didn¡¯t have any other vegetables or meat, so I just drank the soup. While I ate, I applied to other


    jobs using myptop.


    With my years of experience at Gildon Corporation, I was confident I could find a decent job. After I


    was done with my job search, I also finished the soup. However, it seemed like my neighbor had yet


    to settle down.


    Without surprise, I felt sleepy after a satisfying meal. I fell asleep on the couch and turned my phone


    on silent mode so wouldn¡¯t get disturbed.


    I slept for a few hours. When I woke up, it was quiet outside. In fact, it was so quiet that it felt like I


    was transported to another realm.


    2/3


    After daydreaming for a while, I looked at my phone. It was already 3:00 pm.


    How was it only 3:00 pm?


    Time was passing so slowly. Usually, when I was busy, it always felt like time was slipping through


    my fingers like sand. Now that I had loads of free time, I felt a little unused to it.


    There were a few missed calls from Kara, Bree, and an unknown number. This


    number even called me three times.


    It was fine as long as I didn¡¯t receive Brandon¡¯s call. If he called me, it had to be because there


    were some issues with work. No calls from him meant that work was going smoothly.


    However, I still called Kara back.


    She picked up my call almost instantly. ¡°Maddie, why didn¡¯t you answer the phone?¡±


    ¡°Did something happen?¡± My voice was still tinged with sleep.


    Kara immediately picked up on it. ¡°Maddie, did you just ditch us here and take a nap by yourself?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. If I have nothing to do, of course I¡¯m going to nap,¡± I answered her as if it was the most


    sensible thing in the world.


    Kara whispered, ¡°Maddie,e back. I can¡¯t do this on my own without you!¡±


    I could tell she was whispering, not wanting Brandon to overhear her. ¡°Why? Is your dreamboat


    troubling you?¡±


    ¡°Well, he isn¡¯t, but I can¡¯t keep up with him. He¡¯s obviously upset and keeps looking at me like I¡¯m


    an idiot. This is really hurting my ego!¡±


    Kara¡¯s words made me


    After that, Iforted her, ¡°A capable leader has strong followers, too. You¡¯re not an idiot! If he


    disrespects you, he¡¯s also disrespecting me. I¡¯ll punish him!¡±


    ¡°Then, how do you wish to punish me?¡± Suddenly, the voice on the phone changed, which surprised


    me.


    After a short, awkward pause, I continued evenly, ¡°Mr. Howell, you and Kara


    Chauve 113


    need time to learn how to work together. You need to be patient and understanding with her.¡±


    Brandon didn¡¯t say anything.


    I paused, then asked, ¡°Is there anything else?¡±


    ¡°I found a few more problems during today¡¯s testing. Ms. Spraggins wasn¡¯t too sure about it, so I


    need your help.¡±


    I was surprised by his reply.


    ¡°I have resigned. This is none of my business anymore.¡±


    ¡°But you said you wanted to end this project perfectly, didn¡¯t you?¡±


    His words made me pause.


    I was quiet for a while before I said, ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll meet youter.¡±


    3/3


    Spin to im Your Surprise Reward!

 Redmption 114

    Redmption 114


    In the end, I didn¡¯t want the any shorings. I


    my father¡¯s love, toe true, so I agreed to


    my dream, which carri


    Sent park to have


    wanted


    Brandon¡¯s request.


    However, I now became a private consultant for free, not a legitimate crew. It consultant for free, not


    a legitimate crew. It didn¡¯t matter anymore. I would do it as long as the amusement park could be


    completed perfectly.


    I was free anyway, and I had time to spare.


    I went to the hotel in the evening. When I went out, I realized the door opposite my unit was locked.


    There would be a strange man living there in the future. The thought made me feel ufortable.


    Suddenly, I had an idea. I could rent the other unit from thendlord!


    Moreover, thendlord¡¯s number was on the door. I immediately dialed her number and told her my


    intentions.


    Thedy, Olivia Potter, was in a dilemma. ¡°I¡­ I already collected the deposit from him. How can I


    go back on my word?¡±


    ¡°Refund him twice the amount of the deposit. I¡¯ll pay for it, and I can give you a higher rental fee.¡± I


    didn¡¯t mind paying more for my peace of mind.


    Nobody could resist the allure of money, after all. It felt good to be wealthy. I could buy myself


    peace of mind and entice others to give up their principles.


    When Olivia heard that she could earn more, she didn¡¯t protest anymore and immediately agreed to


    negotiate with the other person and get back to me.


    After hanging up, I drove to the hotel. However, as soon as I walked into the hotel lobby, I saw


    Jewel.


    Although she had every right to be there, I had a hunch that she was there for


    1. me.


    As I thought, when she heard my footsteps, she looked up at me. ¡°Madeline!¡±


    Since she was stationed here to wait for me, this visit had to be quite important.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Without waiting for her to speak, I spoke out first, ¡°If you wanted to give me a


    report, you¡¯re looking for the wrong person. I have resigned.¡±


    I also wanted her to feel embarrassed. After all, I resigned because of her, and I still felt angry about


    it.


    She was pregnant, so I was going to keep it to myself, but since she delivered herself right to my


    doorstep, I wouldn¡¯t forgive myself if I let her go easily.


    ¡°I¡¯m here to speak to you about this,¡± Jewel said gently.


    It wasn¡¯t the first time I interacted with her, and I had seen her show both her pleasant and horrible


    sides. However, she still had the audacity to act like a sheep in front of me.


    Oh, no. She wasn¡¯t like a sheep. She was a simpering wolf in sheep¡¯s clothing, trying to please


    everyone she met with undying stubbornness.


    ¡°Oh, so what does Ms. Massey have to say to me?¡± I sat opposite her.


    ¡°Madeline, I was really at the amusement park for work. I have no other purpose for being there,


    and you shouldn¡¯t think of indecent things.¡± She tried to clear her name.


    Iughed in derision. ¡°I think you¡¯re the one who¡¯s got her mind in the gutter! I asked you to


    familiarize yourself with the amusement park with Conrad, but did you have toin to Chris?¡±


    She immediately shook her head. ¡°I didn¡¯tin. Chris called me first, and I just mentioned it to


    him. I never thought that he would¡­¡±


    She didn¡¯t continue, but I understood her unspoken words.


    Chris flew into a rage and was willing to cut his ex¨Cwife¨Cor rather his right- hand man¨Coff, all for her.


    So she wasn¡¯t here to exin, but she just wanted to unt it in my face.


    I smirked. ¡°He¡¯s blinded by love. His brain is so fogged up with lust, so it¡¯s not surprising that he¡¯s


    willing to do stupid things.¡±


    Jewel¡¯s expression turned sour.


    I continued to say, ¡°Ms. Massey, you probably don¡¯t know that his friends used to call him


    horndog.¡±

 Redmption 115

    Redmption 115


    1/3


    It was true that Chris¡® friends used to call him ¡°horndog¡°. However, anyone who called him that was


    kicked out of his circle of friends a long time ago, and they weren¡¯t even allowed to stay in Hilcord.


    Chris was an overly sensitive person. It was probably for the best that he didn¡¯t have a lot of power,


    or he would really misuse his authority. In medieval times, he would be the evil, maniptive


    advisor to the king.


    Jewel¡¯s expression worsened. She knew I was insulting her and Chris, and her face reddened.


    ¡°Madeline, how could you say that? After all, you loved him once. It¡¯s basic decency to not degrade


    your previous partner after breaking up.


    ¡°I never thought that you were like this.¡±


    Was she trying to defend her lover?


    ¡°Decency¡®?¡± I chuckled. ¡°I only give that to those who deserve it. When were still married, you made


    out with your husband¡¯s friends. You also seduced another woman¡¯s fianc¨¦ while carrying your dead


    husband¡¯s unborn


    child.


    you


    ¡°Tell me. With your level of decency, do you deserve mine?¡±


    Jewel¡¯s face paled. ¡°W What are you talking about?¡±


    ¡°You said it yourself. If anyone were talking nonsense, it would be you.¡± I paused and stared at her.


    ¡°You said that in the restaurant that day.¡±


    Suddenly, Jewel was silent, as if all the air had been sucked out of her lungs. After a while, she


    regained her senses to say pitifully, ¡°He was the one who


    came on to me. It wasn¡¯t me¡­¡±


    ¡°Is that so? But it takes two to tango.¡± I didn¡¯t give her any breathing room.


    Jewel was like a stubborn cockroach. I needed to deliver a harsh blow if I


    wanted to ensure she would never bother me again.


    Her tears started flowing like a river. ¡°He ruined me! If it wasn¡¯t for him, I wouldn¡¯t be like this today.


    This is what he owes me.¡±


    She was so agitated that her body trembled, and it was hard to tell whether it


    2/3


    was an act or not.


    Others started to look over because


    were plenty of surveince camerone was crying, but I wasn¡¯t worried. There


    in the lobby. I didn¡¯t touch her. So, even if


    anything happened, it would have nothing to do with me.


    I watched her tears as I contemted her words.


    Chris ruined her? He owed her something?


    I recalled what Chris said about Jewel¡¯s mother¨Cinw hating her because of her husband¡¯s death.


    She was carrying her dead husband¡¯s child, but her husband¡¯s family was still unwilling to see her.


    Suddenly, something clicked in my mind.


    My heart twinged. ¡°What does Chris owe you?¡±


    Jewel¡¯s lips parted, but as she looked at me, she closed her mouth again.


    Was it something truly unspeakable?


    The more she tried to hide, the more curious I got. ¡°Why aren¡¯t you saying anything? Is it something


    you cannot talk about, or are you simply lying?¡±


    She pursed her lips. ¡°It¡¯s none of your business. Listen. If you¡¯re angry at me, just take it out on me,


    and don¡¯t drag others into it.¡±


    I frowned.


    Was she here to berate me on behalf of Chris because I hit his head?


    ¡°You¡¯re talking about how I hit Chris¡® head, right?¡± I said directly.


    ¡°He¡¯s hurt really badly. He needed to get a dozen stitches on the back of his head! Madeline, you


    were in love with him, but how could you be so heartless as to hurt him?¡±


    The way Jewel was talking made it seem like she was already his wife.


    However, she still wasn¡¯t his wife. She was just making trouble for herself, so I dly


    amodated her wishes.


    ¡°Really? Only a dozen stitches? I was already merciful by not smashing his brains out.¡±


    Jewel choked. ¡°You¡­¡±


    3/3


    ¡°Do you know why I hit him? Do you know that it was because he wanted to force himself on me in


    his office?¡± I stared at her. ¡°Is it because you¡¯re unable to satisfy him as a pregnant woman?¡±


    Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    Her face became ashen, and she was speechless.


    Even so, I didn¡¯t hold back. ¡°Ms. Massey, now that you know why I hit him,


    please go home and think of a solution. After all, you were a married woman as well. It shouldn¡¯t be


    difficult, right?¡±


    4)

 Redmption 116

    Redmption 116


    Jewel was so stunned that she couldn¡¯t say another word. She stood rooted to the ce after being


    utterly humiliated. This was all a result of her own doing.


    ¡°Ms. Massey, if there¡¯s nothing else, you should go home. You¡¯re carrying a dead man¡¯s child. If


    anything happened, that would be really bad,¡± I said out of concern, not malice.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Since she decided to keep this child, she must have her reasons. She should be more careful and


    not just go anywhere by herself. She even went to the amusement park, which was a really


    dangerous ce.


    Unless¨Cshe secretly didn¡¯t want this child,


    The thought shed across my mind. I felt shocked. I scrutinized her face, but I couldn¡¯t deduce


    anything aside from her humiliation from my insults.


    I said what I was supposed to say and vented my anger, so I turned around to leave.


    ¡°Do you really not love Chris anymore? You don¡¯t want to be with him anymore?


    Jewel¡¯s voice sounded behind me.


    I smiled and didn¡¯t even turn back. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ll let you have him.¡±


    Despite that, she might not even be able to hold on to him.


    Chris¡® childish and crazy actions these days made me feel that he still had feelings for me.


    However, he realized this toote. Now that I broke up with. him, he was making all sorts of trouble


    for me to get my attention.


    Hence, his feelings toward Jewel were probably not that intense, and being with her was an


    impulsive decision on his part. Even so, I couldn¡¯t forgive him.


    It was all or nothing¨Ceither I didn¡¯t have him, or he would be mine alone. I would not allow my


    partner to hang around other women. If that happened, I wouldn¡¯t hesitate to cut him off.


    ¡°Then, don¡¯t contact him anymore. It¡¯s even better if you don¡¯t see him at all.¡±


    Jewel¡¯s reply made me truly speechless.


    Of course I knew her feelings for Chris were genuine. Even if it wasn¡¯t, she still


    Chappi 116


    wanted to cling to this man, who not only provided her with necessities but also an unlimited card to


    swipe.


    I reached the elevator and looked back at her, tilting my head. I scoffed, ¡°Then, why don¡¯t you give


    me ten million dors so I can live in the countryside? This way, your wish will be granted.¡±


    Jewel¡¯s face scrunched up in anger as she gripped the folds of her dress. Previously, she said she


    didn¡¯t have money, so she used Chris¡® card. I just called her out on it.


    The elevator doors opened, and I went in without a second nce.


    I returned to my and Kara¡¯s room. Because I was bored, I looked up a television series that Kara


    was watching and started to stream it on my phone.


    It was quite entertaining. After a few episodes, I heard a voice outside my door. It was Brandon.


    ¡°Ms. Spraggins, please ask Ms. Crown toe to my room in ten minutes.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± Kara replied and opened the door.


    Before I even saw her face, I saw her shoes being flung across the room.


    ¡°I¡¯m exhausted! Is this even humane?¡± Kara ranted while walking into the room.


    I put down the phone and patted the couch beside me. ¡°Come here. Let me give you a massage.¡±


    Kara came over and didn¡¯t lie down but hugged me. ¡°Maddie,e back. I can¡¯t do this without


    you.¡±


    I patted her head. ¡°If you want to take on bigger responsibilities, you need to push through this. Go


    shower and sleep.¡±


    ¡°No. I want to sleep now.¡± Kara was about to get up when she saw the paused scene on my phone.


    She pouted. ¡°Maddie, you¡¯re so mean!¡±


    I smiled catingly. ¡°Be a good girl. When your work is done, and you¡¯re on a break, you can watch


    it all day long.¡±


    Kara snorted. Before she went into the bedroom, she said, ¡°Mr. Howell wants you to go to his


    room.¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± I had heard it.


    ¡°Maddie, I suddenly feel that he isn¡¯t charming anymore. I¡¯m now his hater.¡± I almostughed at her


    words.


    It seemed like Brandon didn¡¯t let her ck off today.

 Redmption 117

    Redmption 117


    Nevertheless, Brandon was still very nice to me. Besides, with his righteous, soldierly character, he


    wouldn¡¯t treat Kara differently.


    I was lost in thought and only went to Brandon¡¯s room after 20 minutes. He wanted me to go over in


    ten minutes¨Cprobably because he wanted to wash up and change.


    I


    As I expected, Brandon¡¯s hair was still wet when he opened the door. He wore loose clothes and


    hotel slippers.


    ¡°Come in,¡± he said curtly.


    I noticed that hisptop was turned on. I walked over and asked directly,¡± What¡¯s the new issue?¡±


    I ced it in the Word document on my desktop. Open it up and read it for yourself.¡± As he spoke,


    the water in the kettle just started to boil.


    I sat down and looked at his desktop. With his personality, I assumed that his desktop would be


    neat, but I was wrong. His desktop was cluttered with


    with different files.


    It was probably a good thing that I didn¡¯t have OCD or I would faint. With all these files, I asked,


    ¡°You have so many files on your desktop. Which one is it?¡±


    Brandon said, ¡°The one named YLC.¡±


    I looked through his desktop, staring at the screen. Perhaps I watched too many episodes of the


    series, so my eyes were tired, but I couldn¡¯t find the document after looking all over.


    ¡°I can¡¯t find it, Brandon.¡± I turned to look at him.


    He was making honey lemon tea. I could smell its fragrance.


    ¡°Let me see.¡± He was about to walk over when his phone rang. He looked at the screen before


    saying, ¡°Wait.¡±


    Then, I would try to find it again. I stared at the screen to locate the document while listening to his


    phone call.


    The caller said they didn¡¯t know, and Brandon said, ¡°We signed an agreement. I


    won¡¯t ept any changes orpensation. Yes. This is not negotiable.¡±


    All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    His call ended very quickly, and I didn¡¯t even have time to finish looking at all the files on his


    desktop. Actually, the issue wasn¡¯t with the number of files, but the file he wanted was titled what


    seemed to be a bunch of random letters.


    Brandon brought the tea over and ced the cup beside my hand. ¡°For you.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡± As soon as I said it, I felt my back tense up.


    Brandon¡¯s arm reached over my shoulder to point at one of the files on the screen, but this made


    him seem like he was half¨Chugging me.


    ¡°It¡¯s here.¡±


    His voice was low and gravelly. He was also very close to me. I could almost feel his chin above my


    forehead. If I so much as twitched, we would be touching.


    The worst thing was his scent. He smelled like soap and shampoo, which was very refreshing and


    alluring.


    All of a sudden, I felt my body warm up, and blood rushed to my cheeks. I also felt frozen in ce.


    My limbs were numb, and my mind went nk.


    Seeing that I wasn¡¯t moving, Brandon said, ¡°Open it up. Let me exin it to you.¡±


    I moved the mouse to open the document, but suddenly, I couldn¡¯t find the file he had just pointed


    out.


    ¡°This one.¡± His handnded on mine, and he moved the cursor to the file. He then clicked on my


    finger twice to open the file.


    The file opened up, but the words were blurry to me. I felt as if Brandon just muted all my senses,


    and I couldn¡¯t even hear what he was saying.


    That was, until he asked me, ¡°Do you understand?¡±


    ¡°No.¡± I tilted my body away from him. ¡°Mr. Howell, you¡¯re too close to me.¡±

 Redmption 118

    Redmption 118


    I felt a flush of embarrassment as soon as the words left my mouth.


    Had I been too blunt? Surely, Brandon must have felt awkward, too.


    But instead of distancing himself, he paused for almost half a minute before responding with a


    simple ¡°Oh¡°.


    I was surprised.


    Oh? How could he have been so calm?


    I looked up at him, and only then did he slowly straighten up.


    ¡°Your eyesight isn¡¯t great,¡± he exined patiently. ¡°I pointed it out to you, but you still couldn¡¯t find it.


    How else could I help without getting closer?¡±


    His exnation made perfect sense, leaving me feeling like I was the one overthinking things.


    Then, Brandon casually walked oyer to a chair, settled down, and picked up his tablet to work on


    something.


    After sneaking a few nces at him, I sipped some tea to calm my nerves so


    could refocus on work.


    There were indeed a few minor issues in the document Brandon had marked, but nothing major. He


    could have handled them himself easily.


    If he needed rification, a simple phone call would have sufficed. He made me wait sote to


    review these issues, and it seemed unnecessary.


    Was he doing this on purpose? I couldn¡¯t help but sneak another couple of nces at him.


    But Brandon was engrossed in his work. He didn¡¯t once meet my gaze, making me feel like I was


    being overly suspicious.


    After addressing the issues he¡¯d marked, I nced over at him.


    To my surprise, Brandon had fallen asleep with the tablet in his arms.


    I¡¯d thought he was immune to fatigue, but clearly, I was wrong. He was human, not immortal. Even


    gods need rest, as the celestial beings in today¡¯s show


    dozed off.


    I watched him quietly.


    His closed eyes and tanned skin exuded a masculine charm. His high nose bridge, illuminated by


    the overhead light, made him look just as captivating as any main character in a TV series


    enhanced by special effects.


    Thinking about how Kara hadined about being tired, Brandon must have been even more


    exhausted.


    As I worked alongside him these past few days, he often delegated various tasks.


    But all the while, he was bustling up and down and even adjusted the lights. His work required both


    physical exertion and mental strain. Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    By the end of each day, he was definitely more worn out than I was. So, he must have been


    exhausted to be able to fall asleep like that.


    Suddenly, a gust of wind lifted the curtains, and I felt a chill. Seeing Brandon in his short sleeves, I


    quietly got up, picked up a nket from the bed, and


    covered him with it.


    ¡±


    I must have made a noise, or perhaps he was a light sleeper, because the moment the nket


    touched him, he woke up.


    He sped my hand so tightly that it felt like my bones might break.


    ¡°Ow,¡± I gasped.


    He loosened his grip slightly but held on, staring at me intently.


    Up close, I saw my own panicked reflection in his eyes and the depth of his dark pupils.


    He remained silent. My lips trembled, but words failed me. We continued to gaze at each other until


    my awkward stance caused my leg to cramp, nearly making me stumble.


    Brandon reached out with his other hand to support me.


    With both my hands now in his grasp, I quickly regained my senses and exined, ¡°¡­ I noticed you


    had fallen asleep and thought you might get cold, so I covered you with a nket.¡±


    Chap 115


    Realizing how it might sound, I added hastily, ¡°Don¡¯t get me wrong. I didn¡¯t


    mean anything by it. I just¡­ I was concerned about you getting sick, affecting our debugging in


    return.¡±


    I tried to free my hands and escape, but Brandon didn¡¯t let go. Instead, he pulled me closer.


    Caught off guard, I almost fell into hisp. ¡°Brandon¡­¡±


    ¡°Were you just worried I¡¯d get sick and affect the debugging?¡± His voice was low and husky from


    sleep.


    With my heart pounding, and cheeks flushed, I managed a breathless ¡°yes¡°.

 Redmption 119

    Redmption 119


    As Brandon spoke, his grip on my hand tightened. His eyes narrowed slightly, and something


    flickered in them briefly.


    Then, the pressure on my hand eased as he let go.


    I quickly stepped aside and rubbed the spot where his grip had hurt. ¡°I¡¯ve made all the changes you


    marked. Do you want to take a look now?¡±


    Brandon remained lounging in the chair. He even closed his eyes again. ¡°No need. You should go


    rest.¡±


    ¡°Okay. Good night,¡± I said before turning to leave.


    ¡°Mae,¡± Brandon suddenly called out from behind me.


    I froze. What did he just call me?


    Mae¡­


    It was my nickname. Only my parents had ever called me that when they were, alive, and


    sometimes Lisa, though she usually called me ¡°Maddie¡°.


    Yet I distinctly heard Brandon say ¡°Mae¡± just now.


    I turned back in surprise and looked at him. ¡°What did you call me?¡±


    ¡°Nothing,¡± he said, still with his eyes closed. ¡°Just¡­ make sure to close the door.¡±


    Bewildered, I stared at him for a moment. Then, ensuring the door was firmly shut, I left his room.


    Instead of heading straight back to my room, I leaned against the hallway wall, trying to steady my


    breath and racing heart.


    But the more I forced myself to calm down, the more images of my interaction with Brandon shed


    through my mind¨Chis gaze locked with mine, and his arms around me as he helped with the


    document.


    Ultimately, I had to pat my head to force myself back to my room. After copsing onto the bed, I


    hoped sleep woulde soon.


    To distract myself, I grabbed my phone and noticed several unread messages


    N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    on WhatsApp..


    One from Lisa read, ¡°The viins always get to live forever. He¡¯s not dead or even hurt. Just lost lots


    of blood.¡±


    I chuckled at her message and replied, ¡°I¡¯ll hit him harder next time.¡±


    Lisa didn¡¯t respond. She was likely asleep or back in surgery.


    Then, I switched to my chat with Derick. He had sent several messages about Chris


    Derick: ¡°You really headshot your ex. That¡¯s impressive.¡±


    Derick: ¡°Keep this between us, but good job.¡±


    Derick: ¡°If you¡¯d had this attitude earlier, maybe things wouldn¡¯t have gone this far.¡±


    Derick: ¡°Chris is the type who needs a reality check to stay grounded.¡±


    As I read Derick¡¯sst message, an image of Jewel¡¯s soft, maniptive facade shed through my


    mind. She always yed innocent around me, and I could only imagine it was worse with Chris.


    Would Chris eventually grow tired of her?


    After a brief distraction, I remembered her im that Chris owed her and that, he had ruined her.


    I replied, ¡°Derick, does Chris¡­ owe Jewel something?¡±


    Since it was alreadyte, Derick didn¡¯t respond immediately. So I pondered for a few seconds and


    added, ¡°Or does Chris owe something to Jewel¡¯s husband?¡±


    I stared at my phone screen for a long time, but no reply came. So, I set my phone down and


    prepared to close my eyes.


    Then, through the quiet air, I heard a voice. ¡°Brandon¡­ You¡¯re so heartless¡­¡±


    I let out a soft chuckle and turned to look at Kara, who was asleep in the bed across from me.


    How badly had Brandon treated her for her to curse him even in her dreams?


    Instinctively, images of my earlier encounter with Brandon surfaced. Strangely, the more I thought


    about it, the less shaken I felt, and soon, I drifted into


    Chapt¨¦ 119


    dreams.


    I dreamed of Brandon in his youth, chasing after me as I ran wild. ¡°Mae, be


    careful. Don¡¯t fall¡­¡±

 Redmption 120

    Redmption 120


    As I woke up that morning, Brandon was still lingering in my mind from the dream. It was the


    second time he had appeared in my dreams, making me wonder if our paths had crossed before.


    Setting the dream aside, remember when I dreamed about the boy who carried


    me and had a mole on his back? Well, Brandon had the exact same one.


    And yesterday, he called me ¡°Mae¡°. I heard it loud and clear. There was no mistaking it.


    As my thoughts wandered, Kara snapped me back to reality. ¡°Maddie, why did you return to the


    room to sleep?¡±


    It was abnormal for the perpetually sleepy Kara to wake up before her rm. I knew exactly what


    she meant and rolled my eyes at her. ¡°What do you meane back to the room¡®?¡±


    Kara chuckled mischievously. ¡°I thought maybe something happened between you and Mr.


    Howell-¡±


    ¡°What are you even thinking?¡± I cut her off. ¡°Why is your mind always in the gutter?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re both single¨Cwhat¡¯s wrong with a one¨Cnight stand?¡± Kara¡¯s words hit the mark.


    ¡°But you can¡¯t just fall in love that easily, either. Where would that lead?¡± I countered.


    Kara leaned closer while propping herself on a pillow. ¡°Maddie, you know what? I really want to see


    Mr. Howell, the straightced guy, fall head over heels for someone.¡±


    ¡°Huh? I didn¡¯t quite catch her drift. Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    ¡°I mean, I want to see a seriou


    Kara¡¯s words made meugh.


    guy like him act affectionately with a woman.¡±


    ¡°If you really want to see that, you¡¯ll have to try it yourself because you still won¡¯t get to see it even if


    someone else tries,¡± I said, sitting up.


    Kara matched my movement and sat up as well. ¡°Then, Maddie, if you do, you can tell me all about


    it.¡±


    I rolled my eyes at her. ¡°Do you want me to film it for you?¡±


    ¡°Sure, sure!¡± Kara replied unabashedly.


    I grabbed a pillow and hurled it at her, but she caught it swiftly and held it. against her chin.


    ¡°Maddie, did something happen between you and Mr. Howellst night?¡±


    At her question, I instantly recalled Brandon leaning


    Over me as he searched for the document, the moment I covered him with a nket, and the image


    of him pulling me close.


    ¡°Maddie, did something really happen between you two?¡± Kara prodded.


    My absentminded expression didn¡¯t escape Kara, who immediately jumped from her bed to mine for


    gossip.


    ¡°No! Don¡¯t jump to conclusions,¡± I denied and was about to get out of bed.


    Kara held me back. ¡°Maddie, just tell me.


    ¡°Nothing happened. And quit shipping me and Brandon. He¡¯s not my type.¡± I said thest sentence


    to shut her up.


    I left for the bathroom, with Kara sighing behind me. ¡°Well, yeah. After all those years with Mr.


    Gildon, it¡¯s not easy to move on, right?¡±


    I let out a mocking chuckle without responding to her question.


    After getting ready, Kara and I were about to get breakfast, only to bump into Brandon right


    outside.


    He wore camo pants and a ck t¨Cshirt, looking ruggedly handsome.


    Suddenly, I felt a bit flushed.


    ¡°Mr. Howell, why aren¡¯t you at work early today?¡± Kara was always quick to speak her mind.


    Brandon nced at me and replied, ¡°Just didn¡¯t feel like it.¡±


    Kara was taken aback but quickly chuckled. ¡°Well, then, let¡¯s grab breakfast together. Afterward, we


    can go to work together.¡±


    Chap 120


    Brandon remained silent, and I cringed inwardly on behalf of Kara.


    There was a saying that when one stopped being embarrassed about being shameless, the others


    would feel horrified on their behalf. That perfectly


    summed up Kara.


    She crossed my arms and suggested, ¡°Maddie, you can drop us off at the amusement parkter


    and go back to work.¡±


    I snorted. ¡°Are you paying me a sry?¡±


    Spin to im Your Surprise Reward!

 Redmption 121

    Redmption 121


    ¡°Mr. Howell can pay you.¡± Kara turned to Brandon and asked, ¡°Is that alright with you, Mr. Howell?¡±


    I braced myself, expecting Brandon to shut her down. But to my surprise, he simply replied, ¡°If she


    wants to, sure.¡±


    I was rendered speechless.


    I winced in pain as Kara pinched my arm and blinked rapidly. She clearly sensed something was


    amiss.


    Was Brandon trying to stir things up? How could he have said that?


    Not wanting Kara to enjoy any gossip, I smiled and responded, ¡°I have enough money. So, I won¡¯t


    be going.¡±


    ¡°Maddie¡­¡±


    Brandon nced at me quietly.


    D


    As we had breakfast, my phone rang. It was Olivia, thendy across from my house.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Thinking she¡¯d resolved the issue, I answered, ¡°Hello, Mrs. Potter.¡±


    ¡°Sorry to bother you so early, Maddie,¡± she said politely.


    ¡°No problem, Mrs. Potter. What¡¯s up?¡± I replied before taking a sip of my milk.


    ¡°I spoke to the tenant about your request, but he refused, even withpensation. So¡­¡± Her words


    sounded oddly familiar, like I¡¯d heard them


    before.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Maddie. I¡¯ve checked his background. No criminal record, no bad habits, and he¡¯s


    quite decent¨Clooking. Also, he used to-¡±


    Brandon interrupted at that moment.


    ¡°Ms. Crown, can I have your fried egg?¡± he asked, pointing at my te.


    I was caught off guard and missed the rest of what Olivia was saying. I quickly ended the call by


    saying, ¡°Okay,¡± before turning to look at Brandon.


    Chap 121


    ¡°If you say no, that¡¯s fine.¡± Brandon proceeded to peel a boiled egg.


    ¡°Mr. Howell, do you want my fried egg? You can have it,¡± Kara eagerly offered, lifting her egg from


    the te.


    ¡°No, thanks. I don¡¯t want it anymore,¡± Brandon coldly refused.


    I stayed silent and watched him stuff the peeled, boiled egg into his mouth in one go. I swallowed


    hard, feeling a lump in my throat.


    A nagging feeling crept in that he didn¡¯t really want the fried egg in the first ce. But then, why did


    he ask for mine earlier?


    Before I could figure it out, he had already finished his meal. He stood up and said, ¡°You guys carry


    on. I¡¯m leaving.¡±


    Kara watched him leave and turned to me. ¡°Maddie, it¡¯s not that he didn¡¯t want the fried egg. He just


    wanted yours.¡±


    ¡°What? Does eating my fried egg grant immortality?¡± I joked and took a bite.


    ¡°Maddie, Mr. Howell has a crush on you. Kara¡¯s words made me choke.


    I coughed and drank some milk. ¡°Just because he wanted my egg?¡±


    ¡°No. It¡¯s how he acts around you, the way he looks at you, and even¡­ It¡¯s hard to exin, but


    there¡¯s tension in the air.¡±


    I wasn¡¯t a naive teenager. I had sensed it, too.


    Since Brandon first mentioned marriage, I¡¯d known. But his mixed signals confused me, especially


    afterst night. He seemingly might have feelings for


    1. me.


    ¡°So what? I¡¯m not into him.¡± As the words left my mouth, I sensed someone sitting back down at the


    table.


    I looked up to see Brandon, who had returned and was staring directly at me.


    Feeling awkward, I curled my fingers nervously.


    Kara mirrored my gesture but quickly smiled. ¡°Mr. Howell, what brings you back? We were just


    talking about Maddie¡¯s ex¨Cfianc¨¦. She wasn¡¯t¡­


    ¡°I get it,¡± Brandon cut her off, with his eyes still fixed on me.

 Redmption 122

    Redmption 122


    The awkwardness in the air was palpable, but letting Brandon know the truth


    was a relief.


    He grabbed his phone from the table and walked out.


    Kara immediately eximed, ¡°It¡¯s over.¡±


    But I wasn¡¯t fazed. I had never intended to develop anything with Brandon, so I


    wasn¡¯t bothered whether he was upset or misunderstood.


    After all, we were just two people who happened to cross paths. I wasn¡¯t nning to get into a


    rtionship either.


    But it wasn¡¯t that one heartbreak that made me swear off love. I just didn¡¯t have


    the energy for it right now.


    After breakfast, I nned to drop Kara off at work and then head to my interview. I had only sent out


    my r¨¦sum¨¦ yesterday and was surprised to


    receive an interview invitation this morning.


    The quick response was unexpected, but it was also good to start work early.


    When I arrived at the parking lot, I saw Conrad¡¯s car. He parked, got out, and opened the back


    door.


    Bree stepped out. They were here to see me.


    ¡°Bree,¡± I greeted her.


    ¡°Maddie.¡± Bree took my hand, and tears immediately welled up in her eyes.


    Her reaction left me at a loss. I looked to Conrad, who handed her a handkerchief. ¡°Mom, you¡¯re


    going to scare Maddie like this. Just tell her what¡¯s on your mind. Why are you crying?¡±


    Bree took the handkerchief from Conrad and dabbed at her eyes. ¡°Maddie, let¡¯s


    go home and talk, okay?¡±


    I looked at Conrad again, and he exined, ¡°My mom couldn¡¯t reach you by phone, and you weren¡¯t


    responding to her messages.


    ¡°She was so worried that she didn¡¯t sleep all night and insisted I bring her to


    find you. She knows about Chris now.¡±


    I had anticipated that this was the reason for her unexpected visit.


    ¡°Bree, let¡¯s go to the restaurant. You probably haven¡¯t had breakfast. We can


    talk while we eat,¡± I suggested, not wanting to go to Gildon Estate.


    Bree shook her head. ¡°I don¡¯t feel like eating.¡±


    ¡°Then, let¡¯s just talk,¡± I insisted, and she nodded in agreement.


    N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    I turned to Conrad. ¡°You should take Kara to the amusement park, then. I¡¯ll stay


    with Bree and take her home afterward.¡±


    Conrad nced at Bree and then nodded at me. ¡°Thanks.¡±


    Kara left with Conrad, and I took Bree to the restaurant. I went to order


    breakfast, but she declined.


    However, I insisted and ordered her favorite breakfast anyway.


    ¡°Maddie, I know what that jerk Chris did. It¡¯s not your fault. He deserved that hit.


    Bree¡¯s words made me lower my gaze.


    ¡°Maddie, it¡¯s my fault for not raising him better. He messed up so many times and ended up hurting


    you.¡± Bree shook her head regretfully.


    I bit my lip and replied, ¡°Bree, it¡¯s not your fault. It¡¯s Chris¡®. He¡¯s not a child


    anymore.¡±


    Though I wasn¡¯t sure of Bree¡¯s intentions foring, I was certain she wanted to convince me to


    forgive Chris.


    Whether I forgave him or not was irrelevant at this point, but I feared Bree still hoped for us to get


    back together.


    Bree nodded. ¡°You¡¯re right. Don¡¯t carry that guilt.¡±


    ¡°Bree, you¡¯re overthinking it. I¡¯m not burdened because I did nothing wrong.¡±


    My firm statement caught Bree off guard.


    She quickly nodded. ¡°Yes, yes. You¡¯re right. It¡¯s Chris¡® fault.¡±


    I remained silent as Bree continued, ¡°Maddie, Zack doesn¡¯t think your quit either. Chris will


    apologize personally and ask you toe back.¡±


    should

 Redmption 123

    Redmption 123


    Bree¡¯s words took me by surprise.


    But I continued, ¡°Bree, I¡¯ve resigned and already applied elsewhere. In fact, I¡¯m having an interview


    today.¡±


    ¡°What? So soon?¡± Her astonishment was evident.


    ¡°Bree; the truth is, ever since the day Chris and I didn¡¯t get the marriage. certificate, I¡¯ve been


    nning to leave,¡± I confessed while maintaining eye


    contact with her.


    My gaze was steady, devoid of any hint of regret.


    ¡°Even if Chris is fine with it, staying at the samepany after breaking up would make things


    awkward for me. And I¡¯d rather not force it.


    ¡°So, even if Chris didn¡¯t agree with my decision to resign, I intended to move on after wrapping up


    the amusement park project,¡± I exined frankly.


    Bree shook her head. ¡°Maddie, you don¡¯t have to do this. If you feel awkward or uneasy, you could


    transfer to the subsidiary or another department and keep your distance from him.¡±


    I


    ¡°Bree, I appreciate your concern about me facing difficulties elsewhere, but I feel it¡¯s time for me to


    explore other opportunities,¡± I asserted firmly.


    Bree¡¯s eyes were once again brimmed with tears. She shook her head and said, ¡°Why did it have to


    end like this?


    ¡°If you can¡¯t be my daughter¨Cinw, that¡¯s one thing, but now, you won¡¯t even stay with the


    company. Maddie, are you nning to leave uspletely?¡±


    Her distress weighed heavily on me. After all, we had developed a bond over the past decade that


    couldn¡¯t be easily dismissed.


    ¡°Bree, I promise I¡¯ll visit you and Zack often,¡± I reassured her.


    Upon hearing this, Bree wiped away her tears and asked, ¡°Maddie, tell me. Did you already have a


    new boyfriend?


    ¡°Did you make this decision because you¡¯re worried he might have


    reservations about your past with Chris?¡±


    I couldn¡¯t help butugh at her assumption. Brandon and I were just friends, yet everyone seemed


    to think otherwise.


    ¡°Bree, I¡¯m not currently dating anyone. And even if I were, he doesn¡¯t have the right to dictate my


    life. You¡¯re overthinking it,¡± I rified.


    ¡°Then, promise me you won¡¯t leave thepany, Maddie,¡± Bree urged.


    She paused briefly before continuing, ¡°At the very least, keep me informed of where to reach you. A


    simple phone call when I want to see you.¡±


    N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    Her reluctance mirrored that of a mother who was hesitant to let go of her


    daughter.


    ¡°Even if I leave thepany, I¡¯ll still be working locally, Bree. I won¡¯t be too far away. You can call


    me anytime you miss me,¡± I replied.


    Bree fell silent for a moment.


    Thinking we¡¯d covered everything, I was about to end the conversation when she continued,


    ¡°Maddie, there¡¯s something I want to say, but I fear it might upset you.¡±


    Her words made my heart skip a beat. It seemed she was about to broach a


    sensitive or unwee topic.


    ¡°Bree, perhaps it¡¯s best left unsaid,¡± I interjected.


    She seemed surprised by my directness. She hesitated briefly, then smiled. But I have to say it,


    Maddie. It concerns your happiness.¡±


    As expected of the chairman¡¯s wife, she had a subtle way of approaching


    sensitive matters.


    I smiled faintly. ¡°Go ahead, then.¡±


    ¡°Maddie, Zack ns to let Conrad grow independently by establishing apany for him. Would


    you consider helping him?¡± Bree¡¯s words were subtle, but I understood her implication.


    This wasn¡¯t merely about assisting Conrad. She was attempting to set me up with Conrad after


    things didn¡¯t work out with Chris.


    Her demeanor reminded me of the old saying, ¡°Charity begins at home¡°.


    As the daughter that they¡¯ve raised, I should marry the eldest, even if not the second son. She


    preferred that I didn¡¯t marry anyone else.


    ¡°Bree.¡± I met her gaze directly. ¡°If I were to date Conrad in the future, how do you think Chris would


    react? And how would the two brothers get along?¡±


    Bree¡¯s lips moved, and she finally said, ¡°But I can¡¯t bear to see you leave, Maddie. I truly can¡¯t bear


    to


    see you leave home or my side.¡± ¡°In that case, I¡¯d rather be your goddaughter,¡± I stated firmly.


    Spin to im Your Surprise Re

 Redmption 124

    Redmption 124


    At this point, Bree couldn¡¯t bring herself to say anything more, even if she harbored other thoughts.


    She nodded. ¡°Maddie, in my heart, you¡¯re as good as my own daughter.¡±


    But if she truly saw me as her own, she wouldn¡¯t have entertained the idea of me being with


    Conrad. Then again, it could have been Conrad¡¯s suggestion, given how he had alreadyid his


    feelings bare.


    ¡°Sure. Let¡¯s wait until Conrad and Chris are avable, and we¡¯ll have a little ceremony. I¡¯ll formally


    acknowledge you and Zack as my godparents.¡±


    I noticed a glint in Bree¡¯s eye as I spoke. It was clear she wasn¡¯t entirely willing to ept me as her


    goddaughter, but after ten years of her kindness, I chose not to doubt her intentions.


    ¡°Alright,¡± Bree reluctantly agreed.


    After seeing her home, I ran into Chris. He wore a baseball cap and jersey instead of his usual CEO


    attire. Seeing him like this stirred memories of the guy I once admired.


    I remembered Chris from high school, who often sneaked off on motorcycles. Back then, he thrilled


    and worried me in equal measure.


    He looked effortlessly cool in his motorcycle gear and helmet, embodying the rebellious spirit I once


    admired.


    I recalled one instance when he took me for a ride. I clung to him in fear, and that was the closest


    we¡¯d ever been. N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    After the ride, he teased me, ¡°How could you cling onto me so tightly? Were you trying to im


    me?¡±


    didn¡¯t know when he stopped riding motorcycles, but his casual attire gradually shifted to business


    suits, and he morphed into a formidable CEO.


    Now, seeing him revert to his youthful appearance stirred something within me. Yet, despite wearing


    the same outfit, I knew he wasn¡¯t the same old Chris. The baseball cap hid an injury, not a return to


    his former self.


    ¡°What¡¯s this about? Are you back for more today since it wasn¡¯t thrilling enough. yesterday?¡± Chris


    quipped with his cheeky grin in ce.


    Before I could reply, Bree raised her hand to hit him. ¡°How dare you say that? If Maddie hadn¡¯t held


    back, you¡¯d be beaten to death.¡±


    ¡°Mrs. Gildon, you shouldn¡¯t be so harsh even if you have two sons. Am I your child, or is she?¡±


    Despite being a reputable CEO at work, Chris sometimes. acted like a child at home.


    ¡°I¡¯d prefer if Maddie were mine. Who asked you toe out of me?¡± Bree¡¯s humor shone through.


    ¡°Fine. Let her be your daughter in your next life, and I¡¯ll stay as far as I can.¡± Chris pulled Bree close


    to avoid another swat.


    Watching their yful banter, I felt a pang of envy. If my parents were still here, I¡¯d still be their


    daughter to joke around yfully.


    But too bad, there were no ¡°ifs¡± in life.


    Their closeness made it hard to breathe.


    I looked at Bree. ¡°Bree, I should go now.¡±


    ¡°Wait,¡± Chris called. ¡°I need to talk to you.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing more for us to talk about.¡± I genuinely didn¡¯t want to argue with him. If provoked,


    might lose control again.


    I realized that once you started hitting someone, it was hard to stop.


    ¡°I do,¡± Chris insisted.


    Bree pinched him. ¡°Stop being stubborn, or I¡¯ll finish you off.¡±


    ¡°Mom, don¡¯t worry. Maddie¡¯s my wife. What could go wrong?¡± Chris grinned. shamelessly.


    Perhaps the two years at thepany had made me forget his yful side behind the CEO


    facade.


    ¡°Go inside. Stop spying on us.¡± Chris gently pushed Bree away.


    But Bree kept ncing back anxiously as she left.

 Redmption 125

    Redmption 125


    I looked at Chris. ¡°What do you want to say? Do you want me topensate you, or are you telling


    me that you¡¯re suing me for physical assault?¡±


    ¡°What do you take me for?¡± Chris¡® voice dropped. His demeanor had shifted back to that of the cool,


    aloof CEO.


    ¡°I¡¯m here to apologize. I was impulsive and reckless yesterday. You were right to hit me.


    His words caught me off guard.


    Seeing the bandage peeking out from under his baseball cap, I epted his apology. ¡°It¡¯s good that


    you know.¡±


    Chris chuckled. ¡°Madeline, looks like you¡¯re bing¡­ bold.¡±


    Bold? How so?


    Instead of asking, I simply remarked, ¡°You were in the wrong.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. I know I messed up yesterday. I got too close to Jewel, disregarded your feelings, let her


    stay in the house I prepared for you, and even gave her my supplementary card.¡± He reflected on


    his mistakes.


    I wasn¡¯t sure where he was going with this until he continued, ¡°I apologize for that. I waspletely


    out of line.¡±


    ¡°No need. Right or wrong, it doesn¡¯t matter now,¡± I said and walked away, but he stopped me.


    ¡°Madeline, I¡¯m not done yet.¡±


    I nced at his cap. ¡°Go ahead.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve apologized and admitted my mistakes. And about that kiss with Jewel¨Cit was a joke, an


    ident. If you feel it was unfair, find a guy and even the score.¡±


    Iclenched my fists at his words.


    Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    Chris noticed and quickly dodged to the side, then returned. ¡°You can hit me, just not on yesterday¡¯s


    wound. Pick another spot.¡±


    I couldn¡¯t help but burst intoughter.


    Had Chris always been this humorous? Or was this his way of seeking forgiveness?


    ¡°Maddie.¡± He reached out to me. ¡°Can we start over? Or maybe I can win you


    back?¡±


    ¡°Chris, it seems my punch has impacted your brain. You don¡¯t even know what you¡¯re talking about.¡±


    I pulled my hand away from his grip.


    ¡°I do.¡± Chris looked at me earnestly. ¡°I still want to marry you and make your Mrs. Gildon.¡±


    I let out a coldugh. ¡°Chris, whether you¡¯re joking or you¡¯ve genuinely got your brain damaged, let


    me make one thing clear¨CI will never go back on my decisions.¡±


    ¡°Maddie, I know you¡¯re upset. Take your time. I¡¯ll wait for you,¡± he said shamelessly as his audacity


    grew.


    His words were infuriating.


    I pressed my lips together. ¡°I¡¯m sure Bree hasn¡¯t got the time to tell you that she¡¯s going to adopt me


    as her goddaughter. You¡¯d be my brother. Can you envision a brother and sister getting married?¡±


    Chris frowned instantly. ¡°That¡¯s impossible. My parents only see you as their daughter¨Cinw.¡±


    I couldn¡¯t be bothered to argue and left without entertaining his nonsense.


    As I got into my car, I heard him say, ¡°Madeline, I rejected your resignation.¡±


    Damn!


    I mmed my hand on the steering wheel. How was I supposed to attend interviews if he wouldn¡¯t


    approve my resignation?


    Chris was ying dirty now. But I vowed not to fall for his tricks.

 Redmption 126

    Redmption 126


    I arrived at thepany for my interview at 11:00 am. The location was a bit off the beaten path¨C


    not in the bustling CBD area, but in a suburban


    neighborhood just 20 minutes from my ce.


    I was familiar with thispany as they specialized in lighting programming and had once bid on


    the amusement park project, though they weren¡¯t selected.


    Even when the amusement park¡¯s lighting had issues, I even considered reaching out to them for


    help.


    These experiences kept them on my radar. So, when they posted a marketing position that suited


    me perfectly, I jumped at the chance.


    They were the firstpany I applied to, and soon enough, they were the first to offer me the job.


    Thepany operated out of a rented office building. It wasn¡¯t quite the skyscraper that Gildon


    Corporation had, but it was sizable enough to upy three floors.


    I took the elevator and followed the signs to the HR office.


    As soon as I walked in, a man greeted me with a smile, saying, ¡°You must be Ms. Crown. Are you


    here for the interview?¡±


    I offered a smile and nodded. ¡°Yes. That¡¯s me.¡±


    ¡°Please, have a seat.¡± The man, in his 30s, had an average but friendly look


    about him. His warm demeanor left a strong impression.


    A smile was indeed the simplest gesture of kindness.


    ¡°You¡¯re our only interviewee today,¡± he said, rifying why he recognized me immediately.


    ¡°Nice to meet you,¡± I said before extending my hand.


    He seemed slightly taken aback but quickly shook it and introduced himself.


    ¡°I¡¯m Xander Roulder. I¡¯ve gone over your r¨¦sum¨¦, and it matches our needs perfectly. I¡¯d like to


    hear what you¡¯re looking for,¡± he said professionally.


    2/3


    I had noticed his name tag while I shook his hand¨CHR Manager and Vice


    President.


    I was interviewing for the head marketing director position. It made sense that he was the one


    interviewing me, but it felt strange that I ran into him the moment I arrived, almost as if he¡¯d been


    waiting just for me.


    Realizing they might urgently need someone like me, I decided to set aside my suspicions and get


    straight to the point.


    ¡°Sry, vacation, and I¡¯d like to know more about thepany¡¯s development ns. Let¡¯s start with


    the first two, and if we¡¯re aligned, we can discuss thest


    one.¡±


    Like any other candidate, my main concerns were pay and time off.


    Xander poured a ss of water and ced it in front of me..


    N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    ¡°We¡¯ve reviewed your r¨¦sum¨¦. We know you worked as an executive assistant at Gildon


    Corporation before. While we can¡¯t match that sry, we do offer performance¨Cbased bonuses.¡±


    I wasn¡¯t surprised.


    Xander continued, ¡°Your monthly sry will be 30 thousand dors with an annual bonus of 0.3%


    based on yearly performance. Insurance and holiday benefits are standard. Do you have any


    questions, Ms. Crown?¡±


    ¡°None,¡± I replied.


    The monthly sry was 10 thousand dors less than at Gildon Corporation, about a quarter less,


    but I agreed. Thispany wasn¡¯t in the same league as Gildon Corporation, and if they matched


    my previous sry, it would have felt


    suspicious.


    Moreover, while I was technically an assistant at Gildon Corporation, everyone. knew I was the


    future boss¡® partner, which justified my pay.


    Yet here, I was just another employee earning a fair wage based on my abilities.


    I


    ¡°Ms. Crown, do you have any other requests?¡± Xander asked.


    ¡°I¡¯d like to see thepany¡¯s development n,¡± I said.


    I needed to know their future prospects as I didn¡¯t want to invest my effort in a


    Xander fetched a folder from a file rack on his desk and handed it to me. I reviewed it for ten


    minutes before giving it back.


    ¡°Mr. Roulder, if you have no objections, I can start immediately.¡±


    Xander¡¯s grin widened. ¡°Today¡¯s Thursday. How about youplete the paperwork now and start


    officially on Monday?¡±


    I agreed, ¡°Sure!¡±

 Redmption 127

    Redmption 127


    ¡°Wee to the team, Ms. Crown.¡± This time, it was Xander who extended his hand to me. He then


    had someone take me toplete the onboarding


    process.


    In less than half an hour, I was officially hired. That was when it hit me: Chris hadn¡¯t approved my


    resignation yet. But if it came to that, I¡¯d just talk to Zack. He¡¯d definitely let me leave.


    My phone had been buzzing in my pocket, and it had already vibrated several times while I was


    talking to Xander.


    It was a call from Lisa. ¡°Where are you? I¡¯m off today. Wanna hang out?¡± she asked.


    It was rare for her to have a day off. Recently, she had been working overtime because of the baby


    boom.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on? Is everyone on maternity leave already?¡± I teased.


    ¡±


    ¡°Yeah. It¡¯s like everyone¡¯s having babies all at once, and then suddenly, no one is,¡± Lisa


    comined, not for the first time.


    People nowadays were savvy at family nning by blending science with superstition.


    They meticulously scheduled everything from conception to delivery, selecting preferred seasons,


    zodiac signs, and auspicious times in the hope of ensuring their children¡¯s future sess.


    However, what people didn¡¯t realize was that rarity added value. If everyone was exceptional or


    extraordinary, then ordinary people became the real


    treasures.


    ¡°Are you home? I¡¯lle over,¡± I offered.


    I knew how hard it was for her to get a break and didn¡¯t want her to exhaust. herself.


    Lisa replied, ¡°Yeah. Come on over!¡±


    ¡°How about a couple of drinks at noon?¡± I asked smilingly.


    ¡°Sure! I¡¯ll cook, and you bring the wine,¡± Lisa readily agreed.


    After hanging up, I checked my other missed calls from unfamiliar numbers. I figured they were from


    otherpanies I¡¯d applied to and didn¡¯t bother calling back. If they really wanted to hire me, they¡¯d


    call again.


    I bought a bottle of wine, picked up some fruit, and grabbed a portable stove so Lisa and I could


    enjoy some coffee together.


    When Lisa opened the door, she took the items from me and kissed me on the


    Saw


    cheek when she the stove. ¡°You really are the best! I¡¯ve been meaning to get one of these but just


    haven¡¯t had the time.¡±


    ¡°I bought it hoping you¡¯d actually have time to use it,¡± I joked.


    Lisa paused, then said, ¡°Time is like a cleavage. If you squeeze it, you can always find some.¡±


    Iughed and nced at her t chest. ¡°Not necessarily. Can you even squeeze anything out?¡±


    I wasn¡¯t trying to hit a sore spot, but Lisa really did have a t chest. In the summer, she often just


    wore nipple covers because it didn¡¯t make much difference.


    ¡°Don¡¯t underestimate my chest. It¡¯ll be a treasure for my babyter. Your big ones might not be as


    useful,¡± said Lisa, who, as an obstetrician, knew all about childbirth and childrearing.


    ¡°Then, let¡¯s have kids together, and you can breastfeed mine, too,¡± I said cheekily.


    Lisa gave me a yful kick. ¡°Only you would think of that.¡±


    Iughed heartily, and my phone rang again. It was another unknown number.


    Assuming it was a recruitment call, I answered politely, ¡°Hello, this is Madeline Crown.¡±


    ¡°Ms. Crown, your wedding dress has arrived. We¡¯d like to schedule a fitting with you.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± I was stunned. ¡°You must have the wrong number.¡±


    N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    ¡°No. It¡¯s correct.¡±


    Chap 127


    3/3


    The caller confirmed by repeating my number.


    It was indeed my number, but I hadn¡¯t ordered any wedding dresses. Who was


    ying this prank?

 Redmption 128

    Redmption 128


    I was puzzled about who was pranking me when I got other calls about rings. and wedding


    arrangements.


    It wasn¡¯t until then that I realized this was more than just a prank. When I


    asked who was behind these orders, I discovered how crazy Chris really was.


    It


    was all him.


    I knew he wasn¡¯t the type to y childish pranks, so I called him, suspicious of another possibility.


    ¡°Chris, what are you trying to do? We¡¯ve broken up. Why are you ordering wedding dresses and


    rings? Are you trying to disgust me?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t think I¡¯m that petty and childish. Didn¡¯t you think I didn¡¯t care about you? Didn¡¯t you doubt my


    love for you?


    ¡°Let¡¯s get married right now. That should prove I only want to be with you, right?


    ¤ê


    Chris¡® words only deepened my disappointment.


    ¡°Chris, do you think loving someone means making her wear a wedding dress and a ring? Do you


    even know why I broke up with you?¡± I asked furiously.


    He paused for a few seconds. ¡°Isn¡¯t it just because of Jewel?¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± I admitted. ¡°So, how do you n to deal with her?¡±


    N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    He fell silent and reluctantly replied, ¡°I¡¯ll cut ties with her and get her out of thepany. Is that


    enough?¡±


    His tone was so begrudging.


    ¡°And then, you¡¯ll hide her somewhere else, like a kept woman?¡± I mocked.


    Chris snapped, ¡°Madeline, that¡¯s enough! How can you be so unreasonable? I¡¯ve mentioned this


    before. Jewel is pregnant and alone. She¡¯s having it tough. How can you not have a bit of


    sympathy?


    He was fierce and growling.


    I moved the phone away from my ear, not wanting him to damage my eardrum.


    Even so, I heard Chris¡® angry voice on the phone. ¡°Madeline, you¡¯re a woman, too. What if it were


    you? How desperate and helpless would you have been if my family hadn¡¯t taken you in when your


    parents died?¡±


    ¡°Taken in?¡± His words felt like a sharp knife stabbing my heart.


    So, in his eyes, I was just an abandoned child, and his family had kindly offered me shelter.


    ¡°So, your kindness to me was just out of pity, right?¡± My voice trembled.


    Chris was silent for a few seconds, then said, ¡°No. That¡¯s not what I meant.¡±


    ¡°Chris, I don¡¯t need your pity. Give your love and affection to whoever you want. Once, I was an


    orphan, and you bestowed your feelings on me out of pity.


    ¡°But now, Jewel is the one in need. Go love her instead,¡± I said.


    I bit my lip hard, feeling as if my whole body was drenched in icy water.


    It didn¡¯t matter if our love had changed or his feelings had shifted. The world, changed every


    second, and so did people and hearts.


    But the realization that his past kindness was fake and was born out of pity hurt me deeply.


    ¡°Madeline, you¡¯re being unreasonable. You know that¡¯s not what I meant,¡± Chris argued.


    ¡°Chris, it no longer matters. Please, stop bothering me, okay?¡± I was exhausted.


    This post¨Cbreakup entanglement was mentally and physically draining.


    Chris scoffed coldly, ¡°Madeline, you are mine! I will never let you go, and you have no right to say


    no.


    His domineering words made me realize he simply couldn¡¯t ept being the rejected one.


    But I had made up my mind. No matter how much he kicked up a fuss, I wouldn¡¯t have turned back


    on my word.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t mind making a scene, go ahead,¡± I said before hanging up.


    As always, the call with Chris drained mepletely. I trembled uncontrobly and didn¡¯t notice


    when Lisa came up behind me.

 Redmption 129

    Redmption 129


    It wasn¡¯t until Lisa handed me the freshly brewed coffee that she finally said, ¡± Chris is such a jerk. I


    never realized how awful he was until he showed his true colors.¡±


    I took a couple of sips of the coffee. ¡°Turns out, he was just pitying me.¡±


    Even though Chris and I had broken up the great memories of our past still lingered in my heart.


    But today, his words shattered the fragile facade around those cherished moments.


    Lisa gently squeezed my shoulder. ¡°It¡¯s not toote to see him for what he really is.¡±


    I stayed silent.


    Lisa nudged me. ¡°Do you want to get back at him?¡±


    ¡°What?¡± I felt utterly defeated.


    Chris¡® words had ripped open oft wounds, exposing the most painful part of my life.


    But he was right about one thing. After the car ident, when my parentsy in the cold morgue, I


    was left alone in the world. I had no idea what to do.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    I was even afraid to go home. There were moments I thought about dying, too, just so I could be


    with my parents again.


    When Zack and Bree appeared and hugged me, telling me they would be my new family, I finally


    stopped being afraid.


    They were like lifelines to me, and I clung to them, believing that the world still had love for me.


    So, I misinterpreted Chris¡® smile when we first met. In hindsight, it probably wasn¡¯t kindness but


    mockery, right?


    But at that time, I saw his smile as a beacon of hope.


    ¡°You should start dating someone or even get married. Show Chris you¡¯re serious and that you can


    live perfectly fine without him. Make him realize that you¡¯re not dependent on him.¡±


    Chapte 120


    Lisa turned my shoulders to face her gaze.


    ¡°Guys like him need to feel the heat before they understand pain.¡±


    Her grip on my shoulders tightened. I could tell she was angry and flustered at Chris, too.


    I gave a bitter smile. ¡°You think this is some kind of TV show where you can just start dating on


    command?¡±


    ¡°Well, life inspires TV shows. This is the only way to free yourself from Chris and make him snap out


    of it,¡± Lisa encouraged me.


    I lowered my gaze, and she continued, ¡°Brandon would be perfect for this.¡±


    ¡°No way! Definitely not him.¡± I shook my head.


    Brandon already had feelings for me. If I asked him to pretend to be my boyfriend, he might take it


    seriously, and that would onlyplicate things.


    ¡°He¡¯s the best choice. The perfect candidate,¡± Lisa insisted.


    ¡°Let me think about it,¡± I muttered, my mind in turmoil.


    But Lisa was relentless. She continuously convinced me that this was the best n.


    And even after a few sses of wine, she was still pushing me. ¡°Call Brandont now andy out the


    terms of faking a rtionship with him. If he doesn¡¯t agree, then forget it.¡±


    ¡°No way. What if he takes it seriously?¡± I was still hesitant.


    ¡°What if he¡¯s willing to y along?¡± Lisa countered.


    Eventually, the alcohol and Lisa¡¯s persistence wore me down, and I dialed Brandon¡¯s number.


    ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Brandon¡¯s voice was low and husky.


    Swirling the wine in my ss, I watched the liquid. ¡°Brandon, would your pretend to be my


    boyfriend? I mean¡­ just a fake one, not for real.¡±

 Redmption 130

    Redmption 130


    After a brief silence, Brandon¡¯s deep, smooth voice broke the silence. ¡°Have you been drinking?¡±


    ¡°Are you willing to be my fake boyfriend? I dodged his question.


    Ignoring my response, he pressed, ¡°Where are you?¡±


    ¡°Forget it. I already know your answer,¡± I replied curtly.


    was ready to hang up, but Brandon stopped me.


    ¡°Madeline, where are you? Are you at home or out somewhere?¡± His tone was firm, almost


    demanding.


    My suppressed emotions erupted. ¡°Who are you to tell me where I can be? I¡¯ll go wherever I want!


    I¡­¡±


    Lisa suddenly leaned over and spoke into the phone, ¡°Mr. Howell, don¡¯t worry. She¡¯s with me. I¡¯m


    her best friend.¡±


    ¡±


    Then she whispered in my ear, ¡°Be nice when you¡¯re asking for help.¡±


    I pushed her away yfully, but Brandon¡¯s voice came through the phone again, ¡°We¡¯ll talk again


    tomorrow when you¡¯re sober.¡±


    He hung up, leaving me staring at Lisa in disbelief. ¡°He thinks I¡¯m drunk.¡±


    Lisaughed. ¡°He¡¯s just afraid you¡¯ll take it all back tomorrow when you¡¯re sober.¡±


    I had been drinking, but I wasn¡¯t that drunk.


    But maybe this was his way of rejecting me. After all, Brandon did hear me say I wasn¡¯t into him.


    He probably thought I was messing with him, or maybe he was getting back at me for rejecting him.


    The next day, I was so hungover that I didn¡¯t even know when Lisa left for work.


    My phone rudely woke me up.


    ¡°Hello,¡± I answered without checking the number.


    ¡°Ms. Crown, can youe to the amusement park now?¡± Gordon¡¯s anxious Voice came through


    the line.


    I frowned. ¡°Mr. Yates, I¡¯ve quit. Didn¡¯t you hear? If you need something, talk to¡­ Conrad¨CMr.


    Conrad.¡±


    ¡°Ms. Crown, I need your help.¡± Gordon¡¯s insistence made me smile and snap out of sleep.


    I rolled over and ran a hand through my tangled hair. ¡°What do you want?¡±


    ¡°You have toe. You¡¯ll understand when you get here,¡± Gordon said mysteriously.


    I I checked the time on my phone. It was already 10:00 am, and I was still in bed. These moments


    ofziness felt surprisingly good.


    ¡°I¡¯ve already resigned. None of this concerns me anymore,¡± I reminded Gordon.


    ¡°Ms. Crown.¡± Gordon¡¯s voice was desperate. ¡°Please, consider it a personal favor. Can youe?¡±


    I pursed my lips. ¡°I suppose. But do we have to meet at the amusement park?¡±


    ¡°Where would you like to meet?¡± Gordon asked.


    Sensing the gravity in his tone, I said, ¡°Just tell me what¡¯s going on over the phone.¡±


    Back when I was at thepany, Gordon was Chris¡® secretary.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    However, because of my rtionship with Chris, Gordon took care of me a lot. Many of Chris¡® gifts


    and holiday arrangements were handled by Gordon.


    In some ways, Gordon did more for me than Chris did.


    ¡°It really can¡¯t be discussed over the phone. We need to meet in person,¡± Gordon insisted


    solemnly.


    Still, I wasn¡¯t going to give in. ¡°Mr. Yates, if you won¡¯t tell me now, then forget it.¡±


    ¡°Maddie.¡± Gordon suddenly used my nickname. ¡°If you don¡¯te, I might lose my job tomorrow.¡±


    33


    I frowned and thought of something. ¡°Is this Chris¡® n?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Gordon admitted awkwardly. ¡°Actually, Mr. Gildon wants to¡­ propose to you at the


    amusement park.¡±

 Chapter 131

    Chapter 131


    "What?" I was stunned and then cursed, "Is he out of his mind?"


    "Ms. Crown, Mr. Gildon has indeed been acting irrationaltely," Gordon exined.


    As Gordon spoke, it struck me that everything about the wedding dresses and rings was his doing.


    He followed Chris'' orders.


    "What is he trying to achieve? Disgust me?" I asked angrily.


    Gordon hesitated. "Maddie, I really don''t know what Mr. Gildon is thinking, but one thing''s for sure.


    He doesn''t want to lose you. He loves you."


    "Gordon," I said, "it''s one thing for others to say that, but how can you? Do you genuinely believe he


    loves me?"


    Gordon fell silent.


    "If he wants to act crazy, let him. I''m not going to y along," I said firmly.


    "Ms. Crown, actually, I''ve been ming myself. If it weren''t for me that time, you and Mr. Gildon


    wouldn''t have ended up like this."


    Gordon was still feeling guilty about his past mistake.


    "Mr. Yates, I am actually thankful for you. If it weren''t for that incident, I wouldn''t have made up my


    mind to end things with him." I paused. "But I didn''t break up with Chris just because of that


    incident. It was a long timeing, and you should know that."


    "But I was the one who delivered the final blow," Gordon murmured.


    "I''ve said everything I needed to say. If you still want to me yourself, that''s your choice. As for


    Chris, if he fires you because of what happened today, then leave.


    "With your skills, you''ll find a better job in no time," I reassured him.


    "Ms. Crown, did you find a new job?" he asked.


    "I believe I won''t have trouble finding one," I replied vaguely, not wanting to escte the situation


    further.


    The Chris now was a lunatic. And I feared what he might do if he found out I had a new job.


    After ending the call, I closed my eyes. I couldn''t believe Chris had gone so far as to propose to me.


    It felt necessary to be blunt and crush any lingering hope he might have had.


    Thinking about the call I had with Brandonst night, I gathered my courage and texted him, "I''m


    sober now. When can we talk?"


    There was no immediate response. It was 10:30 am, so he was probably at work and hadn''t seen


    the text yet.


    Without waiting for his reply, I quickly got ready to leave after a refreshing shower.


    After my shower, I saw a message from Brandon.


    "Meet me at the amusement park."


    "The amusement park again?" I muttered to myself.


    Recalling Gordon''s hint about Chris'' impending proposal, I immediately replied, "No, let''s pick


    another ce."


    "I''m short on time," Brandon replied.


    As I considered whether topromise, Brandon sent another message. "Are you worried about


    getting proposed?"


    Brandon knew about it, too? How big of a scene had Chris nned at the amusement park?


    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    I replied, "I don''t want to be embarrassed."


    "If you avoid it now, there will always be a next time. Confront and resolve it now," Brandon replied.


    His words made meugh.


    Was he agreeing to y my fake boyfriend?


    Looking at his message, I realized he had a point. Lisa also said that the best way to make Chris


    give up was to let him know that I was with someone else.


    So I replied to Brandon with one word, "Okay."


    To present a different image of myself, I found a yellow spaghetti-strap dress in Lisa''s closet. I let


    my usually tied-up hair down and added a touch of bright red lipstick.


    I looked stunning, like a temptress.


    I had never dressed like this before because Chris didn''t like it. He knew I was attractive, but he


    didn''t want other men to see it.


    When I arrived at the amusement park, I sent Brandon a message. He came to me quickly, almost


    running toward me.


    The moment his eyes met mine, I noticed his Adam''s apple bobbing nervously.

 Chapter 132

    Chapter 132


    Was Brandon captivated by my beauty?


    I''d always thought his heart was as tough as his exterior, immune to such charms. But it seemed the


    old saying about men had some truth after all.


    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    Even though I knew I had Brandon''s attention, I deliberately ran my fingers through my wavy hair.


    His eyes darkened, and his face seemed colder. I couldn''t figure out why his mood shifted, nor did I


    care to guess.


    I cut straight to the chase. "So, are you going to agree to my proposal, Mr. Howell?"


    "What?" His gaze had already shifted away from me.


    I chuckled.


    I hadn''t cked out. Did he?


    But I knew he hadn''t. He was just being coy.


    "Be my boyfriend. Temporarily," I repeated what I had said the night before.


    Brandon didn''t respond immediately. His gaze was fixed on something in the distance.


    Following his gaze, I noticed the Ferris wheel had reached its peak.


    Gordon mentioned that Chris had nned to propose to me. Could it have been up there?


    I squinted, trying to spot any unusual activity on the Ferris wheel.


    Just then, Brandon spoke, "What do you mean by temporary?"


    "I mean, be my boyfriend just until Chris'' obsession with me dies down. After that, we go back to


    being nothing." I felt a pang of guilt as I said this.


    After swallowing hard, I rephrased my exnation, "We won''t actually be dating. It''s just for show to


    make Chris think we are together."


    "Why should I agree to that?" Brandon asked.


    I avoided his gaze, feeling awkward. I wouldn''t be here if it weren''t for Lisa''s urgingst night and


    Chris'' growing obsession.


    A breeze tousled my hair, and I brushed it aside before continuing, "Because you''re the most


    suitable person for the role, and¡­"


    I hesitated.


    He had mentioned wanting to marry me and having feelings for me, but saying that now might make


    him feel used, so I held back.


    "And?" Brandon prodded when I paused.


    I smiled sheepishly. "Nothing."


    "You were going to say I''ve mentioned wanting to marry you and having feelings for you, right?" he


    bluntly stated what I couldn''t bring myself to say.


    Realizing he understood everything, I dropped the pretense and looked at him directly. "Yes. So, will


    you agree?"


    Brandon stared at me silently. Under his gaze, my heart raced, and I began to feel nervous. After a


    few seconds, my face started to flush.


    Was this a silent rejection?


    Trying to ease the awkwardness, I ran my fingers through my hair again and said, "If you don''t want


    to, just forget everything I said."


    I turned to leave, but Brandon blocked my path with his hand.


    "I''ll agree, but only if it''s real," he said.


    I lifted my gaze to look into his determined eyes.


    "Madeline, I won''t be your temporary boyfriend. I want to be your real boyfriend. If things don''t work


    out, we can break up. I won''t just be your pretend boyfriend and a prop for the show."


    With his handsome and stern demeanor, Brandon exuded an air of authority and unyielding resolve.


    He wasn''t someone to be toyed with.


    I had only wanted him for appearances, but he wanted something genuine. Well, that was


    absolutely out of the question.

 Chapter 133

    Chapter 133


    I chuckled. "Brandon, I''ve made myself clear. Since we have different goals, let''s call it off, then."


    "But don''t you need a boyfriend?" Brandon pressed.


    "Yes, I do, but I can''t handle a military guy like you. I''ll figure something else out."


    My response seemed to darken his gaze even more.


    I half-expected him to protest orpromise, but he surprised me by saying nothing at all. I had


    overestimated myself.


    "Well, then, I''m sorry for overstepping," I said.


    Turning away, I hurried into my car as though eager to escape the scene.


    It wasn''t until I was sure Brandon couldn''t see me that I finally stopped the car. After taking a deep


    breath, I regretted the reckless impulsiveness ofst night''s drinks.


    I should have asked Derick to pretend to be my boyfriend instead of getting involved with Brandon.


    But it was toote for regrets now.


    After calming my nerves, I drove to a flower shop, bought a bouquet, and headed to my parents''


    grave.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Apart from asions like their birthdays and the anniversaries of their passing, I rarely visited this


    ce anymore.


    Buttely, I''d been dreaming of my childhood and my parents. So, I wanted to visit them as I felt


    their longing for me.


    Arriving at the cemetery, I noticed a bouquet by the tombstone. Its wilted petals suggested it had


    been there for less than two weeks.


    But it had been over a decade since my parents'' passing, and besides Zack and Bree, no one else


    remembered them.


    Had Zack and Breee to pay their respects? If they had, why hadn''t Bree mentioned it?


    I was puzzled, but with everything going on with Chris now, perhaps Bree had simply forgotten to


    bring it up.


    I set aside the withered flowers and ced my own offering.


    As I looked at the youthful faces on the tombstone, my heart ached, yet I managed to smile. "Mom,


    Dad, have you missed me? I''ve been dreaming of you a lottely.


    "Mom, Dad, Chris and I broke up. I''m sorry I couldn''t fulfill your and his parents'' wishes for us to


    marry.


    "Mom, Dad, more than fulfilling the promise you arranged, I think you just wanted me to be happy,


    right?"


    ...


    Sitting before their grave, I poured out my heart for over an hour.


    I had only realized how much time had passed when the sun was high, and I finally left.


    Before leaving, I picked up the withered flowers to throw them away. I noticed they weren''t lilies.


    They were daisies.


    For all these years that I had been living with the Gildon family, whenever Zack, Bree, Chris, and I


    came to mourn my parents, we always brought lilies because Mom loved them.


    But these were daisies, not lilies. Clearly, they weren''t from them.


    So, who had left them here?


    I grew even more perplexed. Could it have been my parents'' old friends paying their respects?


    I dismissed the idea quickly.


    Zack and Bree had chosen this resting ce for my parents, and there were no other rtives or


    friends present at their burial.


    Even Mom''s and Dad''s friends wouldn''t have known about this ce.


    But who could it have been?


    A strange, inexplicable feeling tugged at my heart, leading me to finally call Bree.


    "Maddie," Bree eximed joyfully as she answered the phone. "I was just about to call you."


    I suppressed my questions and asked, "Bree, is there something you need from me?"

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    Chapter 134


    "Zack''s birthday is just around the corner. You''ll be there, right?"


    Bree''s question caught me off guard. It was only then that I remembered that Zack''s birthday was


    approaching.


    But even without her reminder, I wouldn''t have forgotten. I meticulously noted every Gildon family


    member''s birthday.


    As I was living with them, I made sure to prepare well in advance to keep everyone happy.


    While I wasn''t exactly dependent on them, I trod carefully. I was always eager to please them to


    avoid any hint of disapproval.


    My thoughts wandered, and I failed to answer Bree immediately.


    "Maddie, you know we''ve treated you as your own daughter. Over the years, Zack has cherished


    your gifts and well wishes on every birthday. If you miss this one, Zack will be heartbroken," Bree


    continued.


    I hadn''t nned on attending, but I would give him gifts as usual.


    But now, Bree''s hint had left me speechless. With Chris acting strangelytely, would he attempt


    something bold, like carrying me off, if I agreed to go?


    But I knew Bree would convince me with even more arguments if I declined.


    "Bree, I''ll definitely be there," I coaxed her.


    "That''s a relief. I was really worried you might note, and Zack''s birthday wouldn''t be the same


    without you," she added.


    Her words were pressuring me.


    I remained silent, but Bree continued, "Zack and I have already given Chris a talk for his terrible


    behavior. Has he bothered you again?"


    I was amused. It seemed they were unaware of Chris'' recent antics. But were they genuinely


    clueless, or were they pretending not to know?


    I didn''t want to specte on their motives maliciously. After all, they had been kind to me.


    "No," I replied, choosing not to disclose Chris'' recent shenanigans.


    Even if I said yes, it would only lead to Bree making in promises to straighten him out. But Chris


    was stubborn, and no one could have stopped him.


    Even Bree''s scolding wouldn''t rein him in. If anyone could calm him, it had to be me.


    But now, getting Brandon to pose as my boyfriend wasn''t an option.


    "Maddie, if Chris pesters you or does something outrageous, just give me a call," Bree offered her


    unwavering support.


    "Okay," I agreed.


    "Maddie, did you call because you need something?" Bree, in her 50s and clear-headed, redirected


    her focus to me.


    I nced at the wilted flowers in my hand.


    "Bree, do my mom and dad like daisies?" I asked.


    "Daisies?" Bree repeated before asking, "Maddie, are you nning to visit your parents? When are


    you going? Let Zack and me know. It''s been ages since we visited. So, we could make a trip


    together."


    Bree''s words confirmed my suspicion. These daisies weren''t from them.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    I held the flowers tightly and confessed, "Bree, I''m at the cemetery right now."


    "Oh, you''re there?" Bree sounded regretful. "Zack and I were just talking about waiting until you had


    time to go together."


    What a coincidence! But as they said, 99% of coincidences were actually intentional choices.


    Maybe Bree was simply following my lead.


    "Bree, do any of my parents'' old friends still remember them or might have visited them?" I inquired


    directly.


    Bree hesitated briefly before replying, "Maddie, have you run into someone familiar? Why are you


    asking this all of a sudden?"


    "There''s a bunch of daisies by my mom''s and dad''s graves. I thought someone might havee to


    pay their respects," I exined truthfully.

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    "Really? But who could it be? Your parents have been gone for years, and their old friends have


    moved onpletely.


    "They''ve never even mentioned their names. Why would anyone go and pay respects?" Bree


    asked.


    Bree''s words struck a nerve.


    The notion that ''people move on'' hit hard. I hadn''t noticed their absence in conversation before, but


    Bree''s blunt reminder left me unsettled.


    "Maybe someone made a mistake, Maddie?" Bree suggested again, surprisingly.


    I nced at the tombstone with its photo and name. How could anyone make such a mistake? Her


    words sounded like something you''d say to a child.


    "Maybe," I agreed with Bree to stop her from pressing on.


    I was certain it wasn''t from the Gildon family, nor could it be Mom and Dad''s old friends.


    There was something suspicious about this bouquet, and I needed to investigate.


    "Maddie, don''t overthink it. I''ll ask Zackter if any of his old friends might have done this," Bree


    reassured me.


    "Okay."


    Before hanging up, Bree reminded me once more to make sure we celebrated Zack''s birthday


    together.


    I took a photo of the flowers in my hand and posted it on Instagram with the caption: "Whose


    remembrance could it be?"


    Lisa called after seeing my post. I was surprised she had time to check social media now.


    "What''s going on?" Lisa asked.


    Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    After exining everything to her, I murmured, "I''m really curious who it could be."


    "Are you really going to Gildon estate? Isn''t that like throwing yourself to the wolves?" Lisa''s focus


    shifted away from the flowers as she listened.


    "Not going isn''t really an option, but going worries me too," I admitted my dilemma.


    "So, you need a man to apany you. Even if something goes wrong, at least you''ll have


    someone to protect you, and it might help Chris and the entire Gildon family to move on," Lisa


    suggested. Then she asked, "Has Brandon contacted you?"


    "He turned me down."


    Then, I told Lisa what Brandon had said.


    She chuckled. "He''s got personality. Why not give it a shot with him for real? Maybe you''ll develop


    feelings for him, and it could turn out well."


    I stared nkly out the window. "I''m just not in that headspace right now, you know?"


    I understood Brandon''s situation. He was inexperienced in love. If he wanted a rtionship with me,


    he''d have to be fullymitted, and I couldn''t just brush him off.


    Plus, Brandon wasn''t someone I could easily dismiss. That was the impression I''d gotten from the


    moment I saw him.


    Lisa understood me well enough not to push it further. She got worried instead.


    "So what will you do? Should Ie with you? Even if it doesn''t change Chris and the Gildons''


    minds, at least it''ll prevent Chris from taking advantage of you."


    After a few seconds of thought, I said, "I still need to find a man."


    "Exactly. Hurry and say yes to Brandon. Then¡ª"


    I cut Lisa off before she could finish. "Do you know any men? Set me up with someone. I''ll even


    pay."


    "Seriously? You''re definitely something else, Maddie." Lisa was stunned by my suggestion.


    "It''s the safest bet. Noplications or messy aftermath," I insisted.


    I was confident my n was wless.


    Lisa sighed. "I know a few guys, but they''re all serious doctors. They probably won''t y along


    unless..."


    "Unless what?" I asked.


    "Maddie, why don''t you go on a blind date? There''s this matchmaker online that''s trendingtely.


    "You could go public with your search, and let the inte do the work for you, saving you from


    announcing it to the Gildons," Lisa suggested with a mischievous grin.


    That definitely wouldn''t have worked, but her idea intrigued me. Maybe a blind date was worth


    considering.

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    Chapter 136


    During the evening, I headed to a caf¨¦. I was on my second cup of coffee when my blind date finally


    strolled in.


    He wasn''t your typical middle-aged guy with a beer belly, nor was he bald. His crisp sky-blue shirt


    was spotless. He matched his online profile perfectly.


    Although I wasn''t catfished, his tardiness had definitely worsened my initial impression of him.


    Thankfully, I wasn''t seriously looking for a rtionship. I just needed someone to get over Chris, for


    a fee.


    "Sorry I''mte," the man apologized politely.


    "No worries. I''m not actually here for a real date. I''m looking to rent a boyfriend," I stated bluntly.


    He looked puzzled. "Rent a boyfriend?"


    "Yes. I don''t want a real rtionship right now, but I urgently need a boyfriend for appearances," I


    exined.


    He fell silent. Thinking he might be offended, I added, "I''ll pay you for your time."


    "You must be quite well-off," hemented while squinting slightly.


    Despite my distaste for his money-minded reaction, it strangely facilitated our arrangement.


    I ignored his implication and continued, "We can discuss a daily or monthly rate. What do you think


    is fair?"


    "How much are you willing to pay? And is this just for appearances or more?"


    His words hinted at his experience in such arrangements. And it dawned on me that I wasn''t the first


    one to rent a boyfriend.


    "It''s just for a show," I affirmed. I was not interested in anything deeper.


    "How do we handle physical intimacy charges?" he asked in a professional tone.


    I chuckled softly. "Seems like you''re familiar with this. What were your previous terms, if I may ask?"


    "I was hoping to genuinely meet someone this time," he said as if suddenly changing tack.


    Was this a preemptive move to negotiate higher fees?


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    "Let''s handle our business first, and then you can pursue your suitable girlfriend."


    I offered a faint smile.


    "I''m satisfied with your terms. So, how about we start by getting to know each other as friends?


    "It might solve your problem, and who knows, you might find a quality boyfriend?" He spoke


    confidently.


    Moreover, his thoughts echoed Brandon''s viewpoint.


    "I have my own ns. If you''re not okay with that, I''ll find someone else," I rejected firmly. My eyes


    were serious.


    Sensing my resolve, he shifted gears by offering different terms. "If you want to hire me, it''s 288


    dors per day for the first seven days with no physical contact included.


    "If it extends beyond a week, it''s 4888 dors per month, even if you need me for the show for just


    eight days."


    I chuckled inwardly at his prices. It seemed like eight was his lucky number.


    "Physical contact costs extra. Holding hands is 48 dors per day, regardless of frequency. Hugs


    are 88 dors per day, unlimited. A kiss is calcted per instance. But it''s double for tongue


    kissing."


    Listening to his rates, I realized the immense profitability of this industry.


    As someone in the marketing industry, I found myself intrigued. "What about sex?"


    He pursed his lips. "That costs 2888 dors per instance."


    "You could make quite a bit annually with deals like these," Imented. My tone was half mocking


    and half serious.


    At that moment, I even wondered if he had already negotiated simr terms with someone else


    before our blind date.

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    Chapter 137


    "There haven''t been many, mainly because dating is about finding a like-minded partner," he said. I


    almost wanted tough.


    All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    Like-minded?


    He just wanted to find someone who made money the same way he did to increase his profits.


    They said finding a job was tough these days, but if you used your brain, there were plenty of ways


    to make money without much investment.


    "So, miss, have you decided whether to rent me as your boyfriend or to try dating me?" the man


    asked again.


    I pressed my lips together and did not speak. He elegantly sipped his coffee. "A smart woman


    would choose to date. That way, you don''t have to pay, and if it doesn''t work out, you can just break


    up."


    "If everyone does that, wouldn''t you be at a loss?" I stirred my coffee.


    "Not everyone gets this chance. I have standards too, and I choose based on the other person''s


    conditions," he replied.


    I got it. He was interested in me and thought I was good enough to give this cost-free trial.


    "Do you offer any VIP discounts on the services you mentioned?" Honestly, his prices weren''t low.


    Holding hands alone cost over a hundred. If I rented him to go to the Gildon estate, I''d have to act


    like that in front of Chris.


    "No." He added, "No bargaining."


    I nodded. "I understand your terms. I need some time to think it over. You can keep taking other


    orders in the meantime. If someone else suits you better, feel free to decline my offer."


    As I said this, it hit me that this wasn''t a date. It was a business negotiation.


    He looked at me seriously. "I genuinely want to work with you."


    "Your conditions meet my standards too, but I want to see a few more candidates and choose the


    best one," I said. I was adopting a seasoned business negotiator''s stance.


    "Alright, I''ll wait for your good news," he said before raising his hand to call the waiter. "Bill please,


    including thisdy''s," he said politely.


    I declined. "No need. We can split it."


    He didn''t insist. He just pulled out his phone to scan the code, nodded, and smiled as he left.


    I stayed in the caf¨¦ for a while longer before leaving too.


    Lisa was working the night shift today, so I couldn''t go to her ce. I grabbed a bite to eat outside,


    wandered the night market, bought some interesting trinkets, and by the time I got home, it was


    already eleven o''clock.


    Maybe it was about to rain, but it felt particrly gloomy tonight. I felt a chill as soon as I got out of


    the car and instinctively hunched my shoulders. That was when I felt someone watching me.


    I quickly looked around but saw nothing.


    I chalked it up to my imagination, but the unease quickened my steps home. I hurried upstairs.


    Just as I reached the second floor, I sensed someone following me. And today, of all days, the


    hallway lights were out.


    My scalp tingled with fear, and I hurried up the stairs. To make matters worse, I was wearing high


    heels, which made it hard to walk quickly.


    The footsteps behind me grew closer as if the person was about to catch me.


    I clutched my bag tightly and gripped my car key in my hand. If someone tried to hurt me, I''d stab


    their eyes out.


    When I thought of that, I stopped climbing. If the person followed me to my door, it would be even


    more dangerouster.


    When I stopped, the footsteps behind me stopped too.


    I took a deep breath and asked shakily, "Who''s there?"

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    Chapter 138


    There was no response. My scalp tingled with fear.


    But I couldn''t back down now. I mustered my courage and demanded, "Who is it?"


    "It''s me!" Two words echoed.


    Then came footsteps and an exnation, "Your blind date from the caf¨¦ this evening."


    Him?


    I couldn''t believe it. We''d met only once, and now he was following me. It was terrifying.


    The hallway was pitch dark. Even with a bit of moonlight seeping in through the windows, I could


    only make out the shapes a couple of paces in front of me.


    He wasn''t close enough for me to see him yet.


    I gripped my keys tightly and was ready to defend myself as I asked, "Why are you following me?"


    "Don''t misunderstand. I mean no harm. I just wanted to protect you. It''s not safe for a woman to


    walk alone at night," he exined. Then, he finally stepped into view.


    I nearlyughed at his exnation.


    Following me like this scared me to death, and he thought that made me safe.


    We''d only met once, and we hadn''t even agreed on anything. Yet he wanted to protect me? I wasn''t


    naive enough to believe that.


    But provoking him now wouldn''t help. So, I kept calm to ensure my safety. I suppressed my anger


    and said, "Thank you for your concern. I''m home now. You can leave."


    As I spoke, he came up from the stairway corner and said, "I''m a bit thirsty. Could I have some


    water?"


    His lousy excuse made his intentions clear. I gripped my keys even tighter and refused, "It''s too


    late. It''s not a good time."


    He stepped closer, "You''re going to date me, so what''s the inconvenience?"


    As he got nearer, my fear peaked. "Stay back."


    "It''s just water. What''s inconvenient about that?" His smile in the darkness was sinister.


    All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    Despite my preparation, my hands were shaking. But I resolved to stab him with my car key if he


    got too close.


    As he stepped onto thest stair, I lunged with my keys. But before I could reach him, a cold breeze


    brushed my cheek. With a bang, the man flew back like someone hit by a force in a martial arts


    drama.


    He mmed into the hallway wall, bounced off, andnded face-first on the stairs.


    The crash and rebound looked painfully severe.


    I was about to turn around when a familiar voice sounded beside me. "You went on a blind date?"


    It was Brandon.


    Before I could answer, I heard him coldly say to the man sprawled on the stairs, "Leave now. If


    you''re still here after a minute has passed, I''m calling the police and reporting you for harassment


    and trespassing."


    The man stirred at the sound. He was clearly in pain, but he managed to get up after a few


    seconds.


    His face was bloody; I wasn''t sure where he''d gotten hit. He looked at me.


    The next moment, Brandon covered my face using his hand as he red at the man. "Do you want


    to lose your eyes?"


    The man fled in fear, leaving just Brandon and me in the hallway. His hand still shielded my face,


    and I was almost leaning into his chest. Neither of us spoke.


    The silence was suffocating. I moved Brandon''s hand aside and was about to speak when he beat


    me to it, "You went on a blind date with someone like that?"


    His words were blunt but true.


    I hadn''t expected my blind date to be so dangerous.


    Looking at Brandon''s stern face and remembering his rejection, I spoke in frustration. "Who told you


    not to agree?"


    Brandon fell silent. I asked, "Why are you here?"


    Brandon replied, "I''m looking for you."

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    Chapter 139


    He hade looking for me quite often, and this time he was at my doorstep. "What do you want


    now?"


    "I agree," he said, which confused me.


    What was he agreeing to?


    "To date you and be your temporary boyfriend," Brandon rified.


    Thinking of his previous refusal, I was surprised. "Why did you change your mind?"


    "If I didn''t, you''d keep going on these messy blind dates and risk being followed like today."


    Brandon''s tone was half exasperated and half stern.


    I was amused to see his reluctant but resigned expression in the dark. "You''d be doing something


    against your will. Won''t that make you unhappy?"


    Brandon seemed to catch my teasing tone and took a step closer. Instinctively, I backed away, but


    there was a railing behind me which left me nowhere to go.


    He extended his arm and pinned me between him and the railing. My breath quickened.


    "Brandon¡­"


    "How could you be so foolish to go on blind dates?" His voice was in my ear.


    It sent a shiver down my spine, and my heart skipped a beat.


    He was scolding me, but his tone carried endless affection.


    I didn''t move or speak.


    We fell into silence again, but this time it was different. I was so close to him that I could hear his


    heartbeat clearly.


    After a while, he withdrew his arm. "You''re not allowed toe home alone thiste again."


    "Okay," I replied obediently.


    After a moment, I remembered something. "Thank you."


    I was thanking him for saving me today, and for agreeing to be my boyfriend to help me deal with


    the Gildon family and Chris.


    He didn''t respond, so I pointed upstairs. "I''m going home."


    But as soon as I took a step, he said, "That guy got this far. Who knows if he''lle back?"


    Right, what if he dide back?


    "I''m staying the night," Brandon said while extending his hand.


    "What for?" I couldn''t keep up with his pace.


    Brandon said, "Your keys."


    My eyes widened, "You want to stay at my ce?"


    "What else? Do you want me to sleep at your door?" Brandon''s question left me speechless.


    I couldn''t argue. He added, "It''s not like we haven''t shared a room before."


    That was true. We had slept together before, and it was safe.


    I handed him the keys, and we went upstairs and opened the door.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    Once inside, he said, "I''ll sleep on the couch."


    I nced at my old couch. It was ten years old and only a meter and a half long. How could


    someone as tall as Brandon fit on it?


    There was another room in the house, but it belonged to my parents, and I couldn''t let him stay


    there.


    "You should sleep in my room. I''ll take my parents'' room," I said while putting down my bag and


    taking out a pair of my dad''s old slippers.


    They were ten years old, like the water pipes that burst recently.


    Brandon didn''t protest. He took the slippers, and I went to my room to get my pajamas and checked


    to make sure there was nothing inappropriate before leaving the room to him.


    But as I was about to enter my parents'' room, Brandon called out, "Wait a minute."

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    Chapter 140


    I looked at Brandon, who was also looking at me. The atmosphere in the room was a bit


    ambiguous.


    It was absurd. We had slept in a hotel room together without any issues before.


    Yet here, in this spacious two-bedroom apartment, it felt cramped, like even the air was suffocating.


    After a brief, silent stare, Brandon spoke. "I think it''s more appropriate for me to sleep on the


    couch."


    I was speechless.


    "Only your real boyfriend should sleep in your room. I... I''ll stick to the couch," Brandon said. It


    made me feel like I was somehow mistreating him.


    But I knew he was trying to pressure me. He wanted to be my actual boyfriend.


    The old saying about quiet men being the most cunning seemed true.


    However, I wasn''t falling for it. I simply said, "Suit yourself," and quickly went into my parents'' room.


    Iy in bed, but I couldn''t sleep. The lingering fear from the hallway incident was still there.


    If Brandon hadn''t shown up, my defensive preparations might not have been enough, and the


    consequences could have been dire.


    It was quite a coincidence that he came to see me tonight.


    Thinking about him, I nced at the door. It was closed, so I couldn''t see outside. Was he really


    sleeping on the couch and not in my room?


    I heard his footsteps outside. It was unclear if he was washing up or doing something else. Either


    way, he hadn''t gone to sleep yet.


    The sound of his footsteps reminded me of my childhood. I used to hear my parents move around


    outside my room until I fell asleep.


    I never thought much of it back then, but now I found that soundforting.


    I listened and nned to check on Brandon once he fell asleep, but I ended up dozing off.


    Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    I woke up in the middle of the night needing to use the bathroom. As I got up, I remembered I was


    in my parents'' room.


    Realizing Brandon was still in the house, I nced at the couch on my way out and saw him


    sleeping there. His tall frame barely fit, and his legs were hanging off the side.


    He had cleverly ced a chair for his feet but was covered with my pink nket.


    Double standards.


    He was not my real boyfriend, so he wouldn''t sleep in my room. But he was okay with using my pink


    nket?


    As I watched him, I thought about how he was there to protect me even though he was clearly


    ufortable. The sentiment warmed my heart.


    For the past few nights, I''d been waking up to use the bathroom. After that, I always had trouble


    falling asleep again. I felt alone and abandoned in this empty house.


    I felt like the world had abandoned me, with no one to care for or love me. No one was there to


    comfort me if I cried at night.


    But now, with Brandon here just for me and ready to protect me from any danger, I slept soundly


    and woke up past nine.


    Thinking of Brandon, I listened for any noise outside my parents'' room.


    It waspletely quiet.


    He must have left. He was still busy with the amusement park project, and I forgot to ask about the


    progressst night.


    I went out and, as expected, the couch was empty and neatly tidied up as if he hadn''t slept there at


    all.


    I was momentarily dazed. Then I headed to the bathroom. When I nced at the mirror, I noticed


    that a note was stuck to it.


    "Breakfast is on the table. The lighting adjustments went smoothly. We can finish on schedule or


    two days early."


    My eyes unexpectedly filled with tears as I read the note.

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    Chapter 141


    I didn''t know why I felt like crying. My heart felt heavy and swollen, like a sponge soaked with water.


    Maybe it was because someone finally showed me some care again in this house without my


    parents, a ce where I felt so neglected.


    Or maybe it was because Brandon understood me. Maybe he knew that even though I had left the


    amusement park, my heart was still tied to it.


    I kept looking at the note repeatedly. When I finally took it down and left the bathroom, I saw the


    thermos and the fried egg on the small dining table in the kitchen.


    At that moment, I pressed the note to my chest, and tears started rolling down my cheeks.


    I didn¡¯t take Brandon¡¯s effort for granted. After eating the breakfast he made for me, I sent him a


    message. "Thank you."


    These two words seemed so simple, but I couldn¡¯t just take his kindness for granted.


    After sending the message, I started tinkering with the things I bought from the night marketst


    night. Before I could get far, my phone rang.


    For a split second, my heart raced. I was filled with anticipation.


    But when I saw the number, my heart rate became normal again. I sighed and answered the call.


    "Mr. Yates."


    Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    Gordon cleared his throat first. "Ms. Crown, have you found a new job?"


    The question came out of nowhere. I said while nodding, "Yes, is there something you need?"


    Gordon cleared his throat again and instead of answering, he asked another question. "Have you


    started?"


    I could sense that he had something to say, "Mr. Yates, just say what you need to say."


    "Uh, no, nothing. Just checking in," Gordon replied evasively.


    I scoffed lightly. "Mr. Yates, if you care so much, just say it directly instead of beating around the


    bush."


    Gordon fell silent. I guessed he was struggling with whether to tell me the truth.


    I wasn''t in a hurry. I didn''t push him. I just waited patiently, putting my phone on speaker and


    continuing to fiddle with my little trinkets.


    "Mr. Gildon knows about your new job," Gordon finally said after his internal struggle.


    I wasn''t surprised, but I knew Gordon called for more than just this. I stopped what I was doing, "So,


    what? Is he going to cause trouble again?"


    "Ms. Crown, you do understand Mr. Gildon well." Gordon''s words made me frown.


    It seemed Chris didn''t want me to start my new job smoothly. But I hadn''t received any calls from


    my new employer.


    Although I hadn''t started yet, I had already signed the contract. If they wanted to terminate it, they


    would have to notify me.


    I wasn''t angry. Iughed lightly and asked Gordon, "Did he threaten them, saying if they hired me,


    he''d make sure they disappeared from Hilcord?"


    Gordon chuckled.


    It seemed I was right. Chris, the CEO of Gildon Corporation, had the typical overbearing CEO


    syndrome. He believed that he was the center of the universe and no one should cross him. If


    anyone did, he''d make sure they disappeared from the face of the earth.


    "Well, then he better be prepared to get rid of all thepanies in Hilcord," I retorted in a mocking


    tone.


    Gordon sighed, "Ms. Crown, Mr. Gildon still cares about you."


    Iughed lightly, and Gordon added, "He was quite embarrassed when you didn''t show up for the


    proposal yesterday. He threw a fit at the time, but on the way back, he mentioned to me that if you


    came back, he''d let Jewel go."


    I stared at my phone. "It''s toote."


    "Ms. Crown..." Gordon wanted to say more, but I didn''t give him the chance.


    "Gordon, I have a boyfriend now."


    Gordon was stunned for a few seconds. "What? So soon?"

 Redmption 142

    Redmption 142


    Sometimes, a swift cut was the best way to untangle a mess.


    I hoped Brandon would be the de that would help me sever my ties with Chris.


    After hanging up on Gordon, I continued organizing my trinkets and tidying up the house. Brandon


    had neatly folded the pink nket he usedst night and ced it on the bed.


    An image of Brandon using that small pink nket made meugh.


    Life was full of hardships, but it also had its asional, unexpected joys.


    Although Gordon¡¯s news should have made me anxious, I didn¡¯t let it bother me. I was surprisingly


    calm andposed, waiting for the termination call from my new employer.


    However, I managed to clean my little apartment, tidy up all theers, and even tended to the


    flowers on the balcony, but my phone remained silent.


    Finally, I brewed a pot of tea and sat on the rocking chair on the balcony to read. Then I heard


    voices from below.


    I leaned over to see a few people delivering furniture and two movers.


    They were smoking and chatting and a few minutester, I saw thendy arrive on her electric


    tricycle.


    I understood then. It was furniture for the new tenant


    Thinking about the new male neighbor, especially afterst night¡¯s incident with my date, I suddenly


    felt it might not be bad to have a man living next door. If I ever found myself in danger again, I could


    knock on his door for help.


    With that thought, I smiled and returned to my book and tea, until I heard a knock on my door.


    I opened it to find thendy who smiled apologetically as she said, ¡°Maddie, I¡¯m really sorry.


    She was expressing her regret for not being able to help me negotiate the rent.


    I smiled back. ¡°It¡¯s alright.¡±


    Looking at the open door across the hall and the newly ced furniture, I asked, ¡°When will the new


    neighbor move in?¡±


    ¡°Today,¡± thendy replied while shaking her head. ¡°He said he wasn¡¯t in a hurry, but early this


    morning he called and insisted on moving in today. He asked me to have everything ready.¡±


    I nodded and responded casually, ¡°In such a hurry, huh?¡±


    Thendy sighed, ¡°Young people¡¯s minds are hard to understand. But he seems like a good guy.


    You! don¡¯t need to worry. I¡¯ve told him to be a good neighbor.¡±


    Iughed. ¡°I¡¯ll try my best to get along with the new neighbor.¡±


    ¡°By the w


    way, Maddie, do you have a mop? I was in such a rush that I forgot to bring one. I want to mop the


    floor before handing over the keys,¡± thendy said in an embarrassed tone.


    ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll get it for you.¡± I went to the bathroom to fetch the mop. When I returned, thendy was


    on the phone inside her apartment. Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    I took the mop to the new neighbor¡¯s ce. The room had been simply painted white. There was a


    new bed and a desk with a bookshelf,


    2/2


    Thendy finished her call and came over to thank me and exined, ¡°This young man didn¡¯t


    mind the old furniture except for the bed and bookshelf. Look at that bed. Doesn¡¯t it look fine? Well,


    he insisted on recing it.¡±


    She added while shaking her head, ¡°He wouldn¡¯t take no for an answer, so he paid for it himself.¡±


    I didn¡¯tment. I just nced around briefly, then excused myself and returned to my apartment.


    By evening, I still hadn¡¯t received a termination call, which puzzled me. I even wondered if my


    phone was


    broken.


    I called Lisa to check, but my phone was working fine.


    When Lisa heard aboutst night¡¯s incident and Brandon¡¯s heroic rescue, she immediately


    eximed,¡± Mae, are you serious about him? This guy is amazing. I can¡¯t wait to meet him!¡±


    I rocked gently in the chair. ¡°When I¡¯m ready to take him seriously, you¡¯ll meet him.¡±


    Lisa clicked her tongue. ¡°So you¡¯re interested, huh?¡±


    I looked at my toes and said, ¡°I¡¯m not heartless.¡±


    Brandon had saved me and helped me more than once


    ¡°Mae, I¡¯m really happy you¡¯re moving on from Chris, who was such a jerk, Lisa said. She seemed


    genuinely concerned for me and had no ulterior motives.

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    Chapter 143


    As Lisa and I were chatting happily, I heard the sound of a door opening and closing across the hall.


    Thendy had mentioned the new tenant would be moving in today, so it seemed my new


    neighbor had arrived.


    "Lisa, do you think I should go introduce myself to my new neighbor? In case something likest


    night happens again, it might be easier to ask for help," I said.


    "Your neighbor is a man. If you knock on his door just after he moves in, he might think you''re either


    overly friendly or up to something," Lisa''s words made meugh.


    "Really?"


    "Really."


    Alright, I''d wait for a chance encounter instead.


    Given that we lived across from each other, the chances of running into him were high.


    But I was wrong. Over the next two days, I didn''t see my new neighbor even once, and Brandon


    didn''te by either.


    It turns out that the hero only cares to rescue the damsel once. Was he not worried that my date


    from that night might seek revenge ande to harm me again?


    This realization dampened the good impression I had of Brandon.


    By the end of the weekend, I hadn''t received a termination call, so I still had to start my new job the


    next day.


    As I was preparing my outfit for my first day, Kara called. "Maddie, why don''t you care about the


    amusement park anymore?"


    "Not my job, not my responsibility," I joked.


    Of course, I cared. Brandon had left a note saying everything was going smoothly, so what was


    there to worry about?


    At that moment, I realized just how much I trusted Brandon.


    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    Kara snorted, "Mr. Howell has had a change of hearttely. He''s not making us work night shifts


    anymore."


    "Hmm?" I was puzzled. The initial verification for the lighting adjustments was done during the day,


    but the final verification needed to be done at night. How could they not work night shifts?


    "Mr. Howell said we should do the adjustments first and then verify everything at onceter." Kara''s


    words made me frown.


    How could that work?


    If there were issues during the final verification, making adjustments then could affect other settings


    that had already beenpleted.


    Brandon and I had agreed to verify each adjustment as we went along, so how could he just change


    the n?


    Despite what I had just told Kara about not worrying since it wasn''t my responsibility anymore, I


    called Brandon right after hanging up with her.


    I was the type to get agitated easily, so I felt cooped up in my bedroom and moved to the balcony


    while waiting for Brandon to pick up.


    Once on the balcony, I saw a tall figure on the neighboring balcony. I turned to look.


    The figure retreated into the apartment, so I only caught his side profile.


    Even though it was brief, I was stunned.


    Brandon?


    Did I just see him?


    I reconsidered and thought it might not be possible.


    While I was lost in thought, my phone rang, and Brandon''s pleasant voice came through. "Hello?"


    "Where are you?" I asked. I was asking about his location and not about the amusement park.


    Because I felt like I hadn''t been mistaken.


    The person I saw must be him.


    "What''s up?" he asked instead of answering my question.


    I pondered for a few seconds, then walked quickly from the balcony through my apartment to the


    front door across the hall. I then said into the phone, "Open the door."

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    Chapter 144


    There was no response on the other end of the phone. There was just the sound of the call ending.


    The door in front of me was still closed, but I knew I was right.


    Momentster, the door opened to reveal Brandon in grey loungewear.


    So, he was my new neighbor.


    He hadn''t stopped visiting me; he had moved in right across the hall.


    He wasn''t skipping night shifts; he hade early to stay here and protect me. But even though he


    lived right across from me, he hadn''t told me.


    Moreover, he must have nned to rent the apartment across from me when he helped fix my


    plumbing.


    When I saw him, I understood everything.


    All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    "Come in," Brandon said calmly without a trace of embarrassment at being caught.


    He hadn''t done anything wrong by renting the apartment, so I was the one overreacting. Yet, I


    couldn''t greet him calmly.


    I stood at the doorway and stared at him. "Don''t you think you owe me an exnation about what''s


    going on?"


    "Come in, and I''ll exin." Brandon stepped aside.


    I bit my lip and walked in.


    Although I knew he was probably here for me, I was still angry that he had kept me in the dark.


    I was stunned as soon as I saw his ce. I had seen this ce before, and I knew what it looked


    like. But now it waspletely different.


    All the previous items were gone. The living room had nothing but a couch. It was so empty it


    looked like it had been ransacked. It hardly looked lived-in.


    "Where is everything?" I asked instinctively.


    Brandon looked at me. "Have you been here before?"


    He always answered questions with questions, and my irritation red up again. I red at him.


    Under my stare, he pointed to a nearby room. "I stored everything in that room."


    And all he needed in this ce was a couch?


    Normally, one would expect a coffee table or a small table, something to put a cup or a phone on. If


    he didn''t like clutter, howe he didn''t clear out my parents'' room when he stayed there?


    I didn''t ask that, but I did ask the obvious question. "Why did you rent the apartment across from


    mine?"


    Brandon said, "The rent is cheap."


    That was true; the rent prices here weren''t high.


    "But there are many apartments in thisplex. Why rent the one directly across from me?" I


    thought back to hearing him take that call in his room.


    Now, thinking back, I realized how clueless I''d been. He must have thought I was a little fool.


    Brandon looked at me directly. "Because you''re across my unit."


    He was very straightforward.


    I scoffed. "You''re scarier than the guy that night. You''ve moved in right next to me."


    Brandon frowned slightly. "I''m different from him. I''m here to protect you, and he''s not."


    I couldn''t argue with that, but I was still angry. "You have ulterior motives."


    Brandon was silent for a few seconds. "Yes."


    He admitted it.


    He was a straightforward person. He was bold enough to own up to his actions.


    I was speechless and even angrier. "What does ''yes'' mean?"


    "I''m trying to get close to you," Brandon said, quite poetically.

 Chapter 145

    Chapter 145


    My heart skipped a beat. "I already told you that we can''t be together. If you''re still holding onto that


    idea, I think we should stop pretending to be a couple. I''ll find someone else."


    As soon as I said this, he suddenly took a step toward me. "Then who will you find?"


    Instinctively, I stepped back. He advanced while saying, "Are you going to go on more dates? Or


    find some other guy or friend?"


    He sounded incredibly jealous.


    "Brandon!" I put my hand out to stop him as I backed into a wall. I was unable to retreat any further.


    But before I could say more, he said, "I do have feelings for you, but you rejected me, so I won''t


    persist."


    Huh?


    Now I was a bit confused.


    Brandon''s expression remained cold and handsome. His deep eyes fixed on me. "I''m just a regr


    tenant living across from you now. Don''t overthink it, and nothing will happen."


    Was he implying that I was overthinking things?


    As I struggled to find words, Brandon spoke again. "What did you want to talk to me about?"


    His question smoothly shifted the conversation. It relieved the awkwardness I felt. I followed his


    lead, "It''s prettyte. Are you off work already? Is everything done at the amusement park?"


    "No," he replied, matter-of-factly.


    I scoffed. "Brandon, if it''s not done, why did you leave early? You said you''d finish on time or even


    two days early."


    "I will," Brandon said confidently.


    I felt my irritation rising again. "But changing the testing process like this could cause more dys if


    there are issues during the final inspection."


    "I understand that, but I''ll handle it. If there are any problems, I''ll take responsibility," Brandon said


    with a tone that suggested he could handle anything.


    I wanted to ask where he got his confidence from.


    But considering he was the lead on the lighting project, he did have the authority to say that.


    After a few moments of thought, I reminded him, "Brandon, even though I''ve resigned and am no


    longer in charge of the lighting, I won''t ever forgive you if the final result isn''t what I envisioned."


    Brandon''s expression didn''t change at all. "I promised I''d deliver, and I will."


    There wasn''t much more I could say after that.


    "Fine. I hope so," I said before turning to leave. But Brandon blocked my way.


    I wasn''t sure what he was up to, but I didn''t want to stay there a second longer. I tried to sidestep


    him, but he just moved to block me again.


    I got angry. "Brandon."


    "I need your help with something," Brandon said while looking uncharacteristically vulnerable.


    This was a man who could fix a water pipe. What could he possibly need my help with?


    I was curious. "What is it?"


    "I cooked too much food. Can you help me eat it?" His words left me stunned for a couple of


    seconds. Then I nearly burst outughing.


    All the anger I felt since discovering he lived here dissipated. I kicked at him lightly and swatted him


    with my hand. "Are you kidding me, Brandon? Do you think I''m a child?"


    He let me hit him a few times before grabbing my hands and saying, "New neighbor, I hope we can


    get along."


    "Brandon!"


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    He pulled me to the dining table, which had four dishes and a soupid out.


    Did he need this much food for himself?


    Or had he nned for me to discover his move tonight all along?


    No, he couldn''t have known for sure. He must have decided to reveal it to me tonight regardless of


    whether I found out by chance.


    Feeling a sense of helplessness from being outyed, my anger red again. "Brandon, you..."


    I was about to berate him again when his deep, pleasant voice interrupted me. "Ms. Crown, please


    do me the favor of helping me with this food."

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    Chapter 146


    It was 5:00 AM.


    I got up early and did some yoga to get myself prepared to face the new workday. I wanted to be


    fully energized.


    At 6:00 am, after washing up and changing, I was ready to make breakfast when my phone buzzed


    with a text message from Brandon.


    "Breakfast is on the table. The key is hanging on your door."


    After staring at the message for a few minutes, I finally opened the door and indeed found a key. I


    opened Brandon''s door and saw the breakfast he had prepared.


    Last night, I couldn''t bring myself to refuse his dinner offer, and naturally, I couldn''t resist the


    temptation of good food.


    But what was the deal with this breakfast?


    Was he nning to be my free caretaker?


    While it felt nice to be pampered first thing in the morning, I couldn''t ept it without feeling uneasy.


    So I texted him back. "Brandon, are you looking for a side job?"


    Brandon replied. "Yeah, just pay me a little fee for my efforts, Ms. Crown."


    He sure knew how to y along.


    But I knew that wasn''t his intention. After pondering for a few seconds, I replied. "Brandon, you''re


    crossing the line. We''re just pretending to date."


    Brandon replied. "Even though the rtionship is fake, I still need to take care of your health during


    this period. Otherwise, as your pretend boyfriend, I''d have to worry about you."


    I hadn''t asked for his care, so I said, "You''re overthinking this. You''re only responsible for helping


    me y this role. Besides that, my life and health are none of your concern. And as for cooking, this


    is thest time. If you do it again, I won''t eat it."


    I wasn''t heartless, but since I couldn''t give him what he wanted, I couldn''t ept his care and


    affection. I needed to make it clear that there was no need for him to invest so much effort into this.


    I ate the breakfast, which was delicious and gave me the energy I needed for work.


    On my way to the office, I pondered for a moment. The HR of thepany hadn''t called to rescind


    the job offer, so they might be waiting to terminate me in person.


    This thought dampened my good mood, but I still went to the office.


    "Wee, Ms. Crown," Xander greeted me immediately and warmly shook my hand.


    His demeanor didn''t suggest he intended to fire me, so I decided to be direct. "Mr. Roulder, I heard


    my former employer might have interfered with my employment here. Is that true?"


    Xander smiled without any surprise, and replied honestly, "Yes."


    Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    I looked at his friendly face, "But you don''t seem to have any intention of firing me."


    "Why would I fire you?" Xander asked in return.


    Because Chris was pressuring you, I thought but didn''t say aloud. Xander''s cheerful smile turned


    into a professional one. "We aremitted to not being dependent on or intimidated by anyone. We


    develop through our capabilities. If others are dissatisfied, we confront them with our strength. No


    other tactics can bring us down."


    His words filled me with a surge of energy. "Mr. Roulder, I will not let you down."


    "Don''t worry. Just do your best. Even if things don''t go perfectly, it''s fine," Xander said before


    shing his bright smile again.


    While valuing talent might exin the leniency, Xander''s words left me slightly uncertain about the


    situation.


    Xander then introduced me to thepany and the marketing department. He specifically


    instructed the deputy director and supervisor to cooperate with me.


    They said that new hires must go through numerous challenges to prove themselves, but I didn''t


    feel any of that. Instead, it felt like I was being treated with the privileges of a princess.

 Chapter 147

    Chapter 147


    But I''d always believed in relying on my own skills. Even when I was at Gildon Corporation with the status of the future wife of the boss, I never acted as just a decorative piece.


    After a week, I reviewed all the marketing client information, thepany''s current resources, and the performance of every marketing employee over the past two years, especially the past six months.


    I reorganized the team and established a new incentive and punishment system.


    My purpose wasn''t to show off but to motivate everyone to work hard, and not to fall short of themselves or thepany. Of course, it was also my way of giving back to thepany for hiring me despite the pressure from Chris.


    Just as I was seeing the marketing department thrive, I received feedback from the marketing staff that all the clients we were working with had proposed to terminate their contracts. Even clients we were negotiating with were finding various excuses to dy.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    I knew this was Chris'' doing.


    Since he couldn''t sessfully pressure thepany, he resorted to the despicable tactic of poaching our clients to force thepany to abandon


    me.


    Since this problem stemmed from me, I naturally reported it to Xander. He just smiled and said, "Don''t worry about it. If he can take our clients, it just means they weren''t meant to be ours. We''ll find new ones."


    I was surprised by Xander''s generosity. I showed him the reports, which revealed that 80% of our clients had been poached by Chris.


    "It''s okay. As long as he doesn''t take you away, I believe you will bring in new clients," Xander expressed an extraordinary level of trust in me.


    Of course, I had confidence in that too, but I still felt his attitude was a bit unusual.


    "Mr. Roulder, aren''t you going to report this to the president?" I added, "I don''t mean anything by that, but if you don''t report about losing so many clients at once, it might make things difficult for you. You might get med."


    Xander smiled, and his smile was a bit inscrutable. He then said, "Ms. Crown, I finally understand..."


    He paused for a moment, then continued, "I finally understand why Mr. Gildon from Gildon Corporation didn''t want you to switch jobs." Was that so?


    I had the feeling he wasn''t saying what he really meant.


    Xander added, "As for the concern you have, I have certainly reported it, and the higher-ups were aware of the interference from Gildon Corporation when you joined. These things are within our expectations,


    so you don''t need to worry to much. Everything is under our control."


    So, it seemed I was worrying too much.


    At this point, there wasn''t much left to say. I nodded slightly. "I just didn''t want to be a burden to thepany."


    Xander waved his hand. "No, no, Ms. Crown, feel free to be a troublemaker."


    Huh?


    He shed a broad smile, showing his white teeth. "What I mean is, we trust in your abilities. You won''t let thepany down."


    I managed a small smile. "I''m not a deity."


    "Of course, you''re not," Xander yfully replied, "You''re a goddess."


    I was speechless.


    Although he wasn''t putting any pressure on me, it made me even more frustrated.


    I never expected Chris to be so childish. Not only did he disregard thepany''s interests for his own benefit, but his actions also impacted thepany''s development.


    ?


    From what I''d learned about thepany since I joined, even though its reputation wasn''t ster yet its strength and professional skills were definitely top-notch in the industry.


    If thepany had more talents like Brandon, it would surely soar to great heights.


    So, I couldn''t let Chris wreak havoc and damage such a greatpany. I didn''t want to be the disaster that ruined it.


    I needed to find someone to stop


    A


    Chris, and that person could only be his father, Zack Gildon. This matter couldn''t be discussed over the phone, so I had to see him in person.


    Therefore, I needed to go to the Gildon estate.

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    Chapter 148


    I checked my calendar and realized that Zack''s birthday was in three days.


    It wouldn''t be appropriate to bring up this matter on his birthday. I didn''t want to dampen his celebration. So, I decided to deliver the gift early to ensure I wouldn''t have to go on his actual birthday.


    However, before I could take action, Conrad came to find me.


    I hadn''t seen him since we left the amusement park, and I almost didn''t recognize him at first nce.


    "Have I changed so much that you can''t recognize me?" Conrad joked.


    Seeing him like this reminded me of Brandon, and I smiled faintly. "If your mom saw you like this, she would definitely be worried."


    "No, she said I look more manly now," Conrad said, trying to make meugh again.


    I pressed my lips together. "Indeed, you do look more masculine."


    Conrad touched his face. "I think so too."


    Despite his efforts to lighten the mood, I still didn''t know how to respond after he spoke.


    Thinking about my n to visit Zack, I asked him, "How have Bree and Zack beentely?"


    "They miss you a lot." Conrad''s words stung my heart.


    I used to go to the Gildon estate every day after work, and they saw me daily. But since I moved out, I hadn''t visited even once.


    "I''m nning to visit them today," I said and paused for a moment. "I need to discuss something with Zack."


    Conrad looked at me in confusion. I understood what he wanted to know, and I saw no reason to hide it from him. "Chris has been aggressively undermining thepany I joined, even to the extent of poaching clients."


    Conrad didn''t look surprised. It was clear he already knew.


    Sure enough, in the next moment, he said, "I''ve already told my Dad about this, and he''s adamantly against your resignation."


    Seeing no response from me, Conrad continued, "I''m here today as a messenger for my Dad. Maddie... pleasee back to thepany." Facing his serious expression, I couldn''t help but smile. "If you fail your mission today, will Zack beat you?"


    I remembered that in my third year living with the Gildon family, Zack had assigned Conrad a task, which he didn''tplete well. When he returned, Zack kicked him twice. All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    I remembered that incident vividly. It was the first time I saw Zack hit someone, and he did it so fiercely.


    Conrad didn''t react at the time. He didn''t cry or exin himself. But when he saw me, I noticed the embarrassed flush on his face.


    That''s when I realized I should have hidden away to spare him the embarrassment.


    "Are you making fun of me?" Conrad smiled, perhaps recalling the same memory.


    "No, I..." I started to deny and exin.


    But before I could finish, Conrad interrupted, "But I''m not here to persuade you today, even if it means getting beaten when I go back."


    Huh?


    I looked at Conrad in confusion. He


    pursed his thin lips slightly. "I understand why you left and why you even gave up your cherished amusement park. How could I force you to go back?"


    Conrad smiled. He looked as radiant as a young boy. "Besides, I know you wouldn''t return even if I asked, so I won''t say anything to avoid embarrassing myself."


    He truly understood me.


    Before Conrad left, I enjoyed my time at the Gildon estate more with him than with Chris.


    Chris was kind to me but


    asionally yed pranks to scare


    me, whereas Conrad never did that. He always protected me and even scolded Chris for frightening me more than once.


    He was like a real brother to me.


    "Does Zack also support Chris'' antics?" Since he mentioned that Zack knew about Chris'' madness, I asked directly. "No, my Dad scolded him and warned that if he acted out again, he''d be kicked out," Conrad replied. I believed him.

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    Chapter 149


    Over the years living in the Gildon estate, I''de to understand Zack''s character and temperament.


    He always kept business and personal matters separate. If Chris made a bad decision or made a mistake, Zack would punish him just the same.


    Given thetest reports I''d received, it seemed Chris was still aggressively poaching clients from my currentpany. He was trying to crush us entirely. I couldn''t help but say, "It seems Zack''s warning didn''t work."


    Conrad noticed the concern in my voice. "Is Chris still at it?"Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    "Yes, he''s determined to destroy mypanypletely," I said in a trembling voice.


    I couldn''t stay calm anymore.


    This affected not just mypany but also our clients, and it was a heavy burden to bear.


    "He''s going too far. I''ll talk to my dad about this," Conrad said angrily.


    "I''ll handle it. I have a birthday gift for Zack anyway. I''ll see if he likes it," I said, and Conrad''s eyes brightened.


    He smiled warmly. "Great! Are you going today? We can go together."


    Seeing his anticipation, I pressed my lips together. "Yes, today, but I''m bringing someone with me."


    "Who?" Conrad''s smile remained, "A friend?"


    "Yeah, my boyfriend," I said, and Conrad''s smile froze.


    That moment of shock and heartbreak pained me as well.


    I could tell he had feelings for me, and Bree had mentioned it too. It was better to let him face the truth now. I had to dispel any false hopes he had and help him move on.


    After several seconds, he asked in a shaky voice, "Maddie... your boyfriend is..."


    "Brandon Howell."


    Conrad''s expression darkened further. "Maddie..."


    "Brother, I know what you''re going to say, but I wouldn''t joke about my happiness, nor would I act out of spite," I said, though it pained me to say it.


    Conrad''s handsome face was hurt. "But I can''t believe you''ve moved on from Chris so quickly."


    I almost wanted tough. If he knew this, why did he develop feelings for me?


    No, Conrad''s feelings for me likely started before he went abroad.


    Maybe that was why he stayed away for years.


    When I realized this, my chest tightened painfully. I turned away from him and said coldly, "Conrad, you''re mistaken. I won''t waste time on someone or feelings that aren''t worth it."


    After a pause, I added, "Besides, Brandon is better than Chris in every way. Why wouldn''t I move on?"


    I could feel Conrad''s eyes on me, and my body was tense.


    After a long silence, Conrad spoke again. "Fine. Even if you''re over Chris, you''ve only known Brandon for a few days. Do you really know him well enough?"


    Conrad was persuasive. He seemed genuinely concerned about me being with Brandon. Maybe he didn''t want me to start a new rtionship with anyone.


    That way, even if I wasn''t with him, he could still hold onto some hope.


    But I couldn''t give him that.


    I scoffed. "Does knowing someone well matter? have known Chris for ten years. knew how long he took to pee, and the exact temperature he preferred for his showers. Can you know someone better than that? But what did it amount to?"


    Saying this brought a sharp pain to my heart Loving Chris so deeply, to the point where I adored even the pets he liked, made me feel pathetic and heartbroken.


    I truly loved Chris before, to the point of losing myself.


    Maybe that was why his betrayal felt so final to me.


    "Chris is an exception. Not all men are like him," Conrad said while cing his hand on my shoulder and turning me to face him.

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    My body tensed. I instinctively wanted to avoid his touch, but Conrad held on tightly and gave me


    no chance to escape.


    This feeling of being controlled by someone else was unpleasant, and I didn''t like it. I frowned,


    "Conrad¡­"


    Before I could finish, Conrad interrupted me. "Maddie, Chris is my brother, so I can''t speak ill of him,


    but he''s an exception. You can''t give up your principles because of him."


    His grip was tight. I could feel his tension. He was trembling. His gaze was intense, and his tone


    was heavy. There was even a pleading edge to it. "Maddie, finding a boyfriend is not a game. You


    have to be careful. One wrong move can ruin your life."


    Seeing his earnestness, I felt a bit guilty. I almost wanted to tell him that Brandon was just a


    temporary boyfriend.


    But that thought quickly vanished. Bringing Brandon was meant to end any lingering hopes the


    Gildon family might have. If I told him the truth, what was the point of this charade?


    "Conrad, I''m not a child. I know what I''m doing," I retorted.


    "But you''ve only known Brandon for a few days!" Conrad''s voice grew louder. He was clearly upset.


    Seeing his disbelief, I decided to drop a bombshell. "I''ve only known him for a few days, but our


    rtionship was established when I was in Amaty."


    I said it subtly, considering I regarded Conrad as an older brother and didn''t want to say anything


    too harsh.


    Conrad understood instantly. He looked at me with shock. His grip on my shoulder tightened as if he


    were squeezing me.


    He didn''t say anything; he just stared at me with a mixture of disbelief, disappointment, and deep


    pain in his eyes.


    I recognized the depth of his gaze, then moved slightly. "Conrad, some connections are meant to be


    formed. Maybe Brandon and I are destined."


    As I spoke, I felt Conrad''s body waver.


    Though his grip on my shoulders didn''t loosenpletely, I could tell it wasn''t as tight as before.


    While Conrad and I were in this tense standoff, Xander appeared out of nowhere and smiled


    brightly. "Ms. Crown, you have a guest. Why not go to your office?"


    He nced at Conrad. "Come to the office. I''ll have someone make a pot of good tea."


    Conradposed himself. He released me as he politely declined, "No need, thank you."


    Conrad left without looking back at me, and the sense of loss was suffocating.


    It took me a long time to recover and return to my office. On my way, I decided to ask Xander for


    some time off to prepare the gift and visit the Gildon estate in the afternoon.


    As I was about to knock on Xander''s office door, I heard his voice. "It''s done¡­ Yeah, he''s gone¡­


    Haha, that guy is nowhere near your level. Don''t worry¡­ Ms. Crown¡­"


    Xander was on the phone, and as he stepped out, he saw me standing at the door. He seemed


    startled and nearly dropped his phone.


    I didn''t know why he was so panicked. I quickly caught his phone, noticing the contact name he


    saved on the screen.


    I handed the phone back to Xander, whose face had turned pale. The call was still ongoing.


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    Xander fumbled to take the phone and hastily said, "Ms. Crown is here. I''ll call you backter."


    He hung up and looked at me. His eyes were filled with panic.


    It was just a phone call, right?


    And it was not an affair or a call for leakingpany secrets. There was no reason to be so


    flustered.

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    I felt a flicker of suspicion but before I could speak, Xander interrupted.


    He cleared his throat and smiled. "Ms. Crown, were you eavesdropping? You startled me."


    Although I could tell he was joking, I feltpelled to rify, "Please don''t misunderstand, Mr.


    Roulder. I wasn''t eavesdropping. I was just about to knock."


    Xanderughed even more brightly. "Just kidding. What can I do for you?"


    He gestured for me toe into his office. Although I had been with thepany for several days,


    it was my first time in his office. My first impression was that it was quite shy.


    He was thepany''s vice president, but since the president wasn''t involved inpany affairs,


    Xander was effectively in charge. Even so, a leader''s office should be elegant and understated, but


    his was different.


    The couch was brightly colored with a patchwork design, and even its shape was curved like a


    crescent moon. The flowers in the room were real and vibrantly colored. There were more than just


    green nts. There were also several quirky little ornaments on his desk.


    The overall style was quite feminine. If I didn''t know this was his office, I might have thought I was in


    the wrong ce.


    "Do you like it?" Xander noticed my scrutiny.


    I forced a smile. To be honest, I didn''t like it. Itcked the seriousness an office should have.


    But he was the boss, so what he liked was what mattered.


    I smiled andplimented, "Mr. Roulder, your office has a very unique style."


    Xander smiled and gestured for me to sit on the couch. "I don''t like dull decor. My second brother


    always says the same. By the way, the second brother is our big boss. I was talking to him on the


    phone earlier, and your sudden appearance startled me."


    I chuckled, but inwardly I was musing. He called the big boss his second brother, which indicated a


    close rtionship. No wonder he could make decisions so freely.


    "I''ll make sure it doesn''t happen again," I assured him.


    "No worries. It''s just me being jumpy." Xander''s response made meugh.


    He was very down-to-earth and approachable, without the aloofness often found in high-ranking


    executives. He waspletely different from Chris.


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    When I was at Gildon Corporation, Chris was the president of thepany and nothing more.


    During work hours, whether at the office or negotiating deals, he was always Mr. Gildon, and I was


    just his assistant, an ordinary employee.


    Thinking back, his behavior wasn''t about fairness and impartiality. It was simply because he didn''t


    love me.


    My heart ached as soon as I thought of that. I remembered why I came to see Xander. "Mr. Roulder,


    I''d like to request the afternoon off."


    "Time off?" Xander looked at me.


    "Yes, I have something to take care of," I exined vaguely.


    Xander nodded. "Sure, sure, go ahead. Don''t worry about the clients. I talked to the big boss, and


    he said he''ll handle it. Just focus on your work and leave the rest to us."


    "Huh?" I was a bit confused. I hadn''t even met the big boss, so why was he being so considerate?


    Xanderughed. "The big boss is handsome and kind. If you met him, you''d definitely fall for him."


    Fall for him?


    My face inexplicably reddened, but I quickly realized Xander meant the boss was approachable, so


    I yed along. "Such a great boss must be loved by everyone."

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    "No, no, the big boss doesn''t want everyone to love him. He just wants the person he loves to love


    him back."


    As I left thepany, Xander''s words echoed in my ears.


    I found myself wondering what this boss looked like.


    Another strange thing was that thepany''s records had no information about this big boss. Could


    it be that he had something to hide?


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    Or maybe, like in those CEO novels, he kept an extremely low profile, to the point of not taking


    photos or leaving any trace of himself online?


    As I drove to Glorious, the shop that sold all the antiques, I kept pondering about this mysterious


    boss.


    After parking, I didn''t get out immediately. Instead, I called Brandon.


    He didn''t pick up; he was probably busy. So I left him a message on WhatsApp. "Can youe to


    the Gildon estate with me tonight?"


    Since he didn''t answer the phone, I didn''t expect a quick reply to the message either. After sending


    it, I put my phone away and went into Glorious.


    "Ms. Crown, you''re here," the owner greeted me warmly as soon as I entered.


    I was a regr customer, as I came every year to order a special and quite expensive set of


    calligraphy tools.


    Zack liked calligraphy, so he used up a lot of brushes and ink every year. This was something he


    loved and would use.


    "Mr. Robertson, do you have any new good-quality brushes this year?" I asked while browsing.


    "Yes, yes, the best ones are over here. Don''t bother with the others, you won''t like them as much,"


    the owner guided me.


    Although he said that, I still looked over everything as usual before arriving at the case he


    mentioned.


    One set of dark green brushes immediately caught my eye. "Can I see this one?"


    "Of course!"He carefully took it out. "This is thetest model that has just been released."


    This was a subtlepliment to my good taste.


    I examined it closely. The craftsmanship and materials were indeed excellent, so I decided on the


    spot. "Mr. Robertson, I''ll take this one."


    However, he didn''t agree immediately. I looked up to see a troubled expression on his face. "Ms.


    Crown, this set has already been reserved."


    It must be the only set avable.


    Regret washed over me for a moment.


    But life was full of regrets, wasn''t it?


    Unrequited love was a regret, getting something you didn''t want was a regret, the passing of


    seasons brought regrets, and even ancient emperors regretted not achieving immortality.


    After a brief moment of disappointment, I let it go and started looking for another set. Just then, I


    heard footsteps at the door.


    The owner turned to me and said, "Ms. Crown, take your time. I need to attend to a customer."


    "Go ahead," I replied, just as I saw him taking the set I liked to the new customer.


    I didn''t think much of it and continued my search.


    "Boss, are all the calligraphy tools I ordered here?" Jewel''s voice made me freeze.


    I saw the owner handing that same set to Jewel after turning around.


    It turned out she was the one who had reserved it.


    I didn''t see thating.

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    The tools were not like everyday groceries that everyone needed. So, my first thought was that she


    was also buying them for Zack.


    Chris had confidently assured me just a few days ago that he would make Jewel leave thepany


    and never involve her again. Yet, here she was, even nning to attend Zack''s birthday.


    It was wise of me not to believe his words.


    Jewel was examining the set the owner had brought over with a knowledgeable air. She hadn''t


    noticed me, and I had no desire to interact with her, so I pretended not to see her and turned back


    to my own selection.


    "Boss, are you sure this is the best? I need to give it to someone very important, so don''t make me


    look bad," Jewel said to the owner.


    "Ms. Massey, ''the best'' is subjective. There''s always something better, right? But I guarantee this


    will be presentable and won''t make you lose face," the owner exined skillfully.


    "True, but I want to make sure it''s the best," Jewel emphasized. She clearly cared a lot about the


    recipient.


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    "Only I sell the best brushes in Hilcord. So, this set is definitely top-notch," the owner assured her


    with a smile. "The recipient will know you put a lot of thought into it."


    "That''s good," Jewel paused. "I''m giving it to my future father-inw."


    Her words made me shudder. Was she officially dating Chris now?


    If that were the case, why was Chris still trying to undermine thepany I was working at? What


    kind of madness was this?


    Shaking my head in disbelief, I continued browsing. None of the items on disy caught my eye.


    Just as I was about to give up, a set of brushes in a corner of the lower cab caught my attention.


    Without thinking, I said, "Mr. Robertson, I''d like to see this set."


    "Help yourself. Pick whatever you like," the owner replied casually.


    Eager to inspect it, I opened the cab and took out the set. As I was about to examine it closely,


    Jewel appeared beside me.


    "Are you also giving it to Zack?" Jewel asked.


    Her first words indicated that her attention was on me, but I didn''t look at her. I continued to


    scrutinize the set in my hands.


    This set wasn''t the newest design, but the material and feel were excellent.


    Having spent ten years in the Gildon estate, especially when I first joined and Zack had me


    apany him in calligraphy, I had learned a fair bit about brushes.


    "Yes," I replied indifferently to Jewel.


    But the next second, she said, "I''ve already reserved the best set for Zack, so... you should pick


    something else. It wouldn''t look good if we both gave the same gift and..."


    She paused for a few seconds, "Besides, I''m giving the best, and if yours isn''t as good, Zack might


    think you didn''t put enough thought into it."


    Hah!


    I wanted tough. Was she looking out for me?


    The set in my hands was very good. Even though it looked in, I felt it matched Zack''s age and


    temperament perfectly¡ªsimple yet elegant.


    This was the unique quality of schrly items. They didn''t need to look shy to attract attention.


    Jewel''s tone made me decide instantly. "Mr. Robertson, please wrap up this set for me."


    After speaking, I finally looked at Jewel, who seemed quite displeased and even a bit angry.


    "Ms. Massey, you give your gift, and I''ll give mine. You don''t need to worry about whether mine


    looks good or bad. Besides..." I smiled, "If mine looks a bit in, it will only make you, the future


    daughter-inw, look even more thoughtful, right?"


    Jewel''s fair face turned red instantly. At that moment, I realized her earlier conversation with the


    owner was just to save face.

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    As I was paying, Brandon returned my call.


    "I was busy earlier and just saw your message," Brandon exined.


    "I understand. Are you free tonight?" I asked.


    Brandon replied, "What time?"


    I thought for a couple of seconds. If we went at six, it would be dinner time, and Zack and Bree


    would surely invite us to stay for dinner. I didn''t mind, but Brandon might feel awkward.


    "Seven-thirty," I decided. By then, the Gildon family would have finished dinner.


    "Okay, I''ll pick you up at seven. Is that alright?" Brandon asked.


    Iughed. "How are you nning to pick me up? On a shared bike?"


    I didn''t mean anything by it; I just found it funny. But when Brandon didn''t respond, I realized my


    words might have been misunderstood.


    "No, I didn''t mean anything by that," I quickly exined. Then I added, "I''lle pick you up."


    "I''ll be home half an hour earlier. When the timees, we can go together," Brandon said, then


    paused. "Do I need to prepare any gifts?"


    "No need. I''ve got it covered," I replied and hung up, only to see Jewel watching me.


    Whether in the past or now, Jewel always looked at me with a mix of envy and jealousy.


    I had nothing to say to her, so I picked up my things and left.


    Instead of going home, I went to a men''s clothing store. Since I was taking Brandon to the Gildon


    estate today, I couldn''t let him wear his usual clothes. Although I didn''t know if he had anything


    suitable, it was necessary to buy him a fitting outfit, considering I was asking him to y a part for


    me.


    At six in the evening, I had a light meal and waited for Brandon toe home.


    Instead of him, I got a call from Kara. "Maddie, do you have time tonight? I want to chat with you."


    Unfortunately, I didn''t.


    "What do you want to talk about? We can talk on the phone. I''m going to the Gildon estate tonight,"


    I said without hiding it from her.


    "Oh, what a pity," Kara sounded disappointed.


    I picked up an apple from the table and took a bite. "How about I treat you to dinner another day?"


    "I don''t want dinner," Kara grumbled. "Maddie, I''ve been so angry these past two days. I didn''t want


    to bother you with it, but if I don''t tell you, I might explode."


    I frowned slightly. "What happened? Did Brandon give you a hard time again?"


    "It''s not him. It''s Jewel. She''s such a homewrecker," Kara''s words made me pause mid-bite.


    I had run into her this morning, and now someone else was talking to me about her. She seemed to


    be my jinx today.


    "What about her?" I asked slowly.


    Kara started rattling off like a machine gun. "She unted her pregnancy, acting like she needs to


    be carried around in a sedan chair everywhere she goes. If she''s so worried about something going


    wrong, why doesn''t she just stay home in bed?"


    I chuckled. "She''s just trying to earn milk money for the baby."


    "Yeah, right. She''s just showing off, pretending like she''s carrying the crown prince, like it''s Mr.


    Gildon''s child," Kara''s words made the food in my mouth taste bitter.


    "It''s possible," I responded lightly.


    "Really?" Kara sounded surprised. "If she''s pregnant with Mr. Gildon''s child, then he''s already


    betrayed you. That would make him a real jerk."


    I could no longer swallow the bit of apple in my mouth.


    I set the apple down and didn''t respond.


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    "Maddie, I don''t think it''s possible," Kara added. "If she''s really carrying Mr. Gildon''s child, she


    would have used it to her advantage by now, instead of always looking like she owes you money


    when she sees you."


    I couldn''t help butugh at Kara. She managed to insult someone and drag me into it too.

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    I shook my head helplessly. "She should know whose child it is. If you''re really curious, you could


    just ask her directly."


    Kara scoffed. "I don''t have time for that. I''d rather spend my free moments looking at Mr. Howell."


    When she mentioned Brandon, I realized he still hadn''te back. I nced at the clock on the


    wall and asked indirectly, "Are you off work now, or are you just hiding in the restroom again?"


    "Maddie, what are you saying? Do you think I''m that kind of person?" Kara protested. "Mr. Howell


    has be quite considerate. He''s even letting us off work earlier than usual."


    "Oh? How long ago did you finish work?"


    "Half an hour ago. I''m already at home and lying on the couch," Kara said. By now, I had calcted


    that Brandon should have returned already.


    I hadn''t heard any noise though. Maybe he got dyed on the way.


    "You finish work so early and don''t work overtime in the evenings. Will the project bepleted on


    time?" I asked Kara.


    She seemed to be drinking or eating something, as I heard clear swallowing sounds. "Mr. Howell


    says we can."


    "Do you think you can? Don''t let him fool you. If you don''t finish on time, you''ll be the one who


    suffers. You''ll lose your bonus," I reminded her.


    She coughed twice. "I think we can. We''re already testing in Zone D, and we''re making quick


    progress every day. There are hardly any new problems, so we just work straight through."Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    After she finished, she clicked her tongue twice. "Maddie, it''s strange. When you were here, there


    were problems almost every day. We constantly had to go to Mr. Howell''s office to solve them.


    "But since you left, everything''s been fine. Now, I don''t even have a reason to visit his office and


    chat. I wish there were problems so I could¡­ hehe..."


    I stopped her before she got too carried away. "Maybe I''m just bad luck. Mr. Howell and I never got


    along well, so things always went wrong when we worked together. Everything got better once I


    left."


    "Hmph." Kara disagreed. "Don''t take me for a fool. I think there''s something between you two. Be


    honest. Is something going on between you and Mr. Howell?"


    Thinking of my fake rtionship with Brandon, I denied it guiltily. "What nonsense are you talking


    about?"


    "Don''t hide it from me. If there''s really something going on between you and Mr. Howell, it wouldn''t


    be a bad thing." Kara surprisingly supported the idea.


    I continued to deny it. "No, don''t think too much."


    "Mr. Howell moved out of the hotel. They say he rented a ce to live," Kara confided.


    I pretended not to know. "Is that so?"


    "I heard he rented a ce because he ns to stay in Hilcord for the long term. I heard he''s


    investigating his parents'' deaths," Kara lowered her voice even over the phone. "Maddie, did you


    know about this?"


    I didn''t. When Brandon rented a ce, I asked him why, but he didn''t mention investigating the car


    ident.


    "I heard his rtives died in a car ident¡­"


    As someone who lost my parents in a car ident, my heart ached at the mention of it.


    I quickly found an excuse to end the call and stared at the family photo on the wall.


    Was my parents'' ident just an ident?


    Somehow, that thought shed through my mind.


    After a long while, when it was nearly seven o''clock and I still hadn''t heard any noise from next


    door, I called Brandon.


    But he didn''t answer.


    I didn''t know if he was busy or had changed his mind about going with me.


    I picked up my things and prepared to go to the Gildon estate myself. But when I opened the door, I


    saw that Brandon''s door was slightly ajar.


    Was he back?


    Why hadn''t I heard anything?


    Feeling puzzled, I pushed his door open and stepped inside. "Brand..."


    The second half of his name got stuck in my throat as I froze at the scene before me.

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    I never expected to walk in on Brandon right after he showered.


    A towel was wrapped low around his waist. It revealed most of his physique and concealed only the


    bare minimum.


    The sight left Brandon speechless too. I could see a blush appearing across his tan skin.


    For a moment, we stood unmoving while staring at each other. Nobody said anything, as if time had


    frozen.


    Finally, Brandon reacted and walked into the bedroom. Only then did I regain my senses and


    swallow. I also realized that my cheeks were burning¡­


    I saw Brandon shut the bedroom door and realized he was getting dressed. I remembered the


    clothes I had bought for him and blurted, "Brandon, don''t get dressed yet. Give me a minute."


    I turned around after speaking. As I did, I felt a hint of regret. What had I just said? I had told him to


    stay undressed and wait for me¡­


    There was nothing inherently wrong with the words themselves, but what was I thinking in this


    context? I wished the ground would open up and swallow me.


    s, such a thing wouldn''t happen, and it was toote to feel regret. I quickly retreated to my room


    to retrieve the clothes and then scurried back to Brandon''s door.


    I knocked on the door twice. "Brandon, I bought some clothes for you. I''m leaving them by the door.


    These should fit you better." I didn''t exin what I said just now to prevent further awkwardness.


    Just as I reached down to ce the bag on the floor, the bedroom door swung open. There stood


    Brandon, fully dressed.


    He was wearing a white shirt and ck cks, but he didn''t put on a tie. The top two buttons of his


    shirt were undone, lending him an air of effortless sophistication.


    This was the first time I had ever seen him in such attire. Initially, I doubted that this style would look


    good on him, so I bought casual clothes.


    Yet, Brandon challenged my perceptions now. He looked like a domineering CEO who was living a


    minimalist and luxurious life.


    I looked at him in a daze, until his fingers brushed against mine as he reached for the bag. ncing


    at the clothes inside, he asked, "Do you want me to put these on?"


    I shook my head. "No, no. You look great like this."


    Brandon''s gaze flickered back to the clothes in the bag. "I''ll wear what you picked next time."


    Then, he took the clothes into the bedroom and put them in his wardrobe naturally. Meanwhile, I


    remained rooted to the spot. I looked at his room, or more specifically, the bed in his room.


    The ce was old, so the bedrooms weren''t huge. The new bed he had requested from thendlord


    took up two-thirds of his room. The neatly folded nket on top resembled a cake. It made it look


    like a bunk bed in the army. I had the urge to salute him.


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    Brandon reappeared after putting the clothes away. "I''m done. Shall we go?"


    Just as he was about to step out, I asked, "Brandon, do you have OCD?"


    "Huh?" He was confused.


    I pointed at his nket. "You''re not in the army anymore, so why do you still fold it like that? How


    much time do you spend on it every day? Isn''t it a bit too much?"


    "I''m used to it," he replied simply.


    "I think you might have OCD," I countered. Habit was a powerful force, but the most persistent


    habits tended to be the simpler ones.


    Seeing Brandon''s nket made me feel exhausted, and I had a mischievous urge to mess it up.


    He didn''t deny it. "Maybe."


    His gaze shifted to the gift I had bought for Zack in my hand, and he reached out. "Let me take that


    for you."


    I smiled. "There''s no need. I can handle it."


    "But I don''t like to let my girlfriend carry things," Brandon insisted. He took the gift box from me. Our


    fingertips brushed against each other''s once more. I felt a jolt and let go.


    Before we left, I remembered the awkwardness I felt seeing him fresh out of the shower just now. I


    said, "Why didn''t you close your bedroom door?"

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    ¡°I left it open for you. I thought you mighte looking for me if you were anxious, Brandon


    exined casually


    I blurted, ¡°So, you wrapped yourself with only a towel on purpose?¡±


    Brandon¡¯s Adam¡¯s apple bobbed. ¡°No. I heard my phone ring, so I came out to answer it. It was


    purely a coincidence¡­¡±


    Was it really? At least she didn¡¯t lose anything because he had a hot body.


    Brandon didn¡¯t say a word on our journey to Gildon estate. I thought he was nervous. ¡°Once we


    arrive, you just need to greet them. I¡¯ll handle any questions thate our way.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± he replied.


    ¡°If Chris is also there, and he says mean things or makes things difficult for you, don¡¯t hold back,¡± I


    instructed.


    Brandon said again, ¡°Okay.¡±


    ¡°Oh right, we need to get our story straight. Let¡¯s say we met in Amaty, and you, well¡­ like me and


    followed me here.¡± I was too shy to finish my sentence.


    Brandon said, ¡°I probably won¡¯t mess that up.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    ¡°Huh?¡± I didn¡¯t really understand what he meant, but then I had a realization quickly enough.


    I didn¡¯t know what to say so I just kept quiet, and so did he.


    The quiet added to the awkwardness, which made me drive nervously. Suddenly, the idiot in the car


    in/ front of us mmed on the brakes, and I almost hit it.


    Brandon reacted like lightning. His hand shot out and he grabbed the steering wheel, and then he


    turned it. The car turned 45 degrees and skidded, avoiding an ident.


    I was still in shock even after the car screeched to a halt. His reflexes were unreal. He seemed


    almost superhuman.


    ¡°Focus on driving. It¡¯s fine if the car is damaged, but what if you get hurt?¡± Brandon said in concern.


    He straightened the car out once the vehicle in front of us continued moving.


    My three years of driving experience suddenly felt like child¡¯s ypared to his skills.


    I only recovered from the shock after I drove for some time. I couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Your¨Cdriving


    skills are out of this world. Were you a driver in the army?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± he replied.


    I nced at him. ¡°Then what kind of soldier were you?¡±


    ¡°Special forces.¡±


    I didn¡¯t have much knowledge about the military, but had seen them on television. I supposed


    special forces were elite soldiers who were always in the front line. They looked really cool.


    Brandon was really cool! There was a certain toughness about him. He had a steely resolve rarely


    seen in men nowadays.


    ¡°Then why did you leave the military? Why not join the SWAT team?¡± I was very interested in getting


    to know him today.


    apter 157


    Brandon didn¡¯t answer¨Cme at once. I suddenly recalled Kara¡¯s words. Could it be connected to his


    father¡¯s


    ident?


    It didn¡¯t seem right to ask him directly, so I took a more indirect approach. ¡°Brandon, you¡¯ve never


    talked about your parents or siblings. Would you mind telling me a bit about them? So that I know


    what to say if the Gildons ask¡­¡±


    ¡°My parents are gone,¡± he interrupted before I could finish.


    ¡°My father died in a car ident while driving his boss. He died with his boss, and his boss¡® wife,¡±


    Brandon continued. His gaze met mine.


    I felt my


    heart clench because my parents had died in a car ident too. Hearing this made me sad.


    ¡°My mother passed away a few yearster. She was unable to cope with the depression that


    followed his death,¡± Brandon said. His voice was barely a whisper.


    He must be in a lot of pain. I regretted having brought up the topic. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry,¡± I murmured. ¡°But I


    suspect that my father¡¯s ident wasn¡¯t an ident at all,¡± Brandon added.

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    Redmption 158


    I didn¡¯t say anything and just listened. I didn¡¯t want to upset Brandon by saying something wrong. I


    was also thinking about my own parents¡® car ident. Was it truly an ident, or something more


    sinister? I was really young when their ident happened and didn¡¯t know the details. Zack had


    dealt with everything. Perhaps he was the only one who knew what really happened. I would ask


    him when I saw him


    Seeing that I wasn¡¯t speaking, Brandon remained quiet as well, and we continued in silence.


    The Gildons had inputted my car details in the automatic gate recognition system, so I was able to


    drive straight into their yard.


    The housekeeper was in the yard. When she saw us, she greeted me warmly. ¡°Maddie, you¡¯re


    back! I¡¯ll go inform Mr. and Mrs. Gildon right away.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no need, Xena. I¡¯ll head inside myself,¡± I said with a smile.


    Her gaze flickered to Brandon, who had gotten out of the car and walked to my side. I knew she


    was curious about his identity, so I held his arm and said, ¡°Xena, this is my boyfriend, Brandon.¡±


    While Xena was a housekeeper, she had spent a longer time with the Gildons than I had. She also


    had a close rtionship with Bree. So, it was also necessary to put on a show for her.


    Brandon nodded at Zena politely. ¡°Hello, Xena.¡±


    ¡°Hello,¡± Xena said while looking at me. Her disapproval was evident.


    In everyone¡¯s eyes, I was Chris¡® wife, so it was only normal that they felt uneasy seeing me with


    another


    man,


    Xena¡¯s reaction was just the beginning. I had to deal with Zack and Bree¡¯s reactionster.


    I walked past Xena and headed toward the main hall while holding Brandon¡¯s arm. Even before


    entering. could hear Bree criticizing Zack ¡°You¡¯re great at being a chairman and managing


    thousands of employees, yet you can¡¯t even manage your own sons! Both of them are nothing but


    troublemakers!¡±


    Zack remained silent. I knew he must be pretending to be deaf again and burying himself in his


    phone or a


    magazine.


    ¡°Zack, are you pretending to be deaf again?¡± Bree roared in anger.


    Even though they loved each other, it didn¡¯t mean that they didn¡¯t argue. Bree must be particrly


    upset today. What could have made her so angry?


    ¡°I¡¯m not pretending. If I respond, you¡¯ll just nag even more, Zack finally said,


    ¡°So now you find my nagging unbearable? How typical! You men are ungrateful creatures!


    ¡°I gave birth to your children and took care of them, and now I¡¯m a nuisance? Zack, you¡¯re a


    scoundrel! Don¡¯t you dare touch me! Get away!¡±


    When Brandon and I entered the main hall, we saw Bree sitting on Zack¡¯sp. Zack was holding her


    firmly while she protested.


    It was a rare disy of affection for a couple of their age. Many middle¨Caged couples fell into a


    routine and lived without such intimacy anymore. Even if there was any intimacy, it was likely that


    they were just satisfying each other¡¯s sexual needs.


    We froze in the doorway and were unsure whether to enter or retreat. Embarrassment washed over


    me.


    We were pretending to be in a rtionship, yet we ran into a scene of genuine affection between a


    married couple.


    Forget it. It was best to avoid them for now.


    Just then, Bree¡¯s dog barked joyously at me to wee me. I had spent a lot of time with it when I


    lived with the Gildons, and it seemed like it hadn¡¯t forgotten me.


    The barking drew Zack¡¯s attention, and he looked up. When he saw Brandon and me standing at


    the door, his face flushed with embarrassment for a second, and he released Bree.


    ¡°You old rascal.¡± Bree yfully pinched his ear.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Zack took her hand and muttered, ¡°Maddie¡¯s here.¡±

 Redmption 159

    Redmption 159


    But Bree didn¡¯t believe him and punched him yfully once more. ¡°Don¡¯t try to scare me using


    Maddie. I don¡¯t believe you.¡±


    ¡°Hello, Bree,¡± I called out, startling her. She turned around, and her eyes lit up at the sight of me.


    But the next moment, she blushed upon realizing that must have seen them being all lovey¨Cdovey.


    Bree shook Zack¡¯s hand off and hurried toward me. ¡°Maddie, you¡¯re back! Have you eaten yet? I¡¯ll


    tell Xena to cook¡­¡±


    ¡°Actually Bree, I already have,¡± I lied. Only then did I realize that I hadn¡¯t even considered if


    Brandon had


    eaten.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you evere home for dinner?¡± Bree chided softly. She seemed oblivious to


    Brandon¡¯s presence.


    It wasn¡¯t that she hadn¡¯t seen him, nor was she solely focused on me. This was just her way of


    expressing her disapproval of Brandon.


    However, Bree came from an influential family and wouldn¡¯t allow herself to be rude due to her


    upbringing. So, after a pointed half¨Cminute of silence, she finally acknowledged Brandon. ¡°You must


    be Maddie¡¯s friend.¡±


    I squeezed Brandon¡¯s arm. He readily greeted her, ¡°Hello, Mrs. Gildon. I¡¯m Brandon Howell.¡±


    Bree nodded. ¡°You¡¯re a friend of Maddie¡¯s, so don¡¯t stand on ceremony. Come in.¡±


    Zack rose from his seat as well. I walked over to him and gave him the gift with both hands. ¡°Happy


    birthday in advance, Zack.¡±


    ¡°Maddie, you¡¯re always so thoughtful.¡± Zack beamed as he epted the gift. Then, he turned to


    look at Brandon.


    ¡°Hello, Mr. Gildon,¡± Brandon greeted him respectfully,


    Zack simply nodded. ¡°Have a seat.¡±


    Bree asked Xena to bring some coffee and fruit. As we settled in, she kept a watchful eye on


    Brandon and me before finally speaking. ¡°Maddie, don¡¯t think you can skip the party by bringing


    Zack an early gift. Zack and I won¡¯t have it.¡±


    She seemed to be able to read my mind and expose my intentions just like that. I didn¡¯t have any


    escape


    route.


    But thankfully, I had a backup n. I smiled as I replied, ¡°Of course not. Brandon and I will


    definitely be there.¡±


    Twas telling Bree that if she wanted me at the party, Brandon would be there too.


    Bree¡¯s smile faltered for a moment before she regained herposure. ¡°Sure. There will be many


    outstanding young men at the party. A wonderful opportunity for you young people to mingle.¡±


    Mingle? Bree was clearly warning Brandon that many wealthy and elite men would be at the party,


    and Brandon should know his ce.


    In their eyes, Brandon was nothing more than an ordinary worker despite his obvious talents, a


    stark contrast to the capitalists. By looking down on Brandon, they were essentially looking down on


    me as well.


    212


    However, I wasn¡¯t about to help Brandon defend himself. I was curious to see how he would handle


    the situation¨Cif he could maintain his dignity while deflecting Bree¡¯s disdain.


    I looked at Brandon, who was calm andposed. ¡°I look forward to meeting more influential


    figures in Hilcord. After all, I n on furthering my career here.¡±


    Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    Iughed inwardly. He could be an annoyance if he wanted to.


    A hint of displeasure flickered in Bree¡¯s eyes when she failed to rile him up. Yet, she remained


    smiling.¡± Will you be staying in Hilcord in the long run, Brandon?


    I felt Brandon¡¯s warmth as he took my hand. Heced his fingers through mine. ¡°Yes. Mae is here,


    so naturally, I¡¯ll have to stay with her.¡±


    I clearly heard him call me Mae this time. I could see the shock on Zack and Bree¡¯s faces as well,


    as if he had said something earth¨Cshattering.


    Bree said to Brandon directly, ¡°Mr. Howell, what can you offer Maddie if you were to be together?¡±


    Bree sounded just like my mother. I looked at her, but her gaze remained fixed on Brandon as she


    waited for his response.. ollowing her lead, I also looked at Brandon. Suddenly, I was eager to hear


    his answer

 Redmption 160

    Redmption 160


    Brandon turned to look at me. His grip on my hand tightened noticeably.


    It felt as if he was holding my heart captive. They said the fingers were connected to the heart, and


    in that instant, it was undeniably true.


    ¡°I will give Mae everything I have, love her with every fiber of my being, and protect her fiercely.¡±


    Brandon said. His gaze was locked on mine. His eyes were deep and shimmering like the ocean.


    I finally understood the expression ¡°love as deep as the sea.¡± Though we were just acting, I couldn¡¯t


    help but feel that his confession was real.


    This man was really cunning. He was ying a role, yet his emotions were genuine.


    I could only go along with what he said. Initially, I raised my hand to hold his, but what he was


    doing now frustrated me. I had asked him to act, not blur the lines between reality and fiction.


    So, instead of holding his hand, I reached up and pinched his cheek. I was sure that it would


    embarrass a straightforward man like him.


    I wanted him to realize that he brought it on himself. However, not only was he not embarrassed,


    but he even nuzzled his face into my hand. He resembled Teddy the dog when it wanted hugs.


    A shameless person was truly invincible. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect him to react the


    way he did.


    After nuzzling against my hand, he naturally turned his attention back to Zack and Bree. ¡°And I¡¯ll


    love her for a lifetime, just like how you love Mrs. Gildon, sir.¡±


    The first part was a heartfelt confession, while the second part was a clear rebuttal directed at Bree.


    I saw Bree¡¯s face harden because she was rendered speechless by Brandon.


    Zack, who had been silent all this while, finally spoke. ¡°Maddie, Brandon can stay and chat with


    Bree for a while. How does that sound? You cane with me to the study.¡±


    Zack nodded at Brandon before going up the stairs. I could guess what he wanted to discuss with


    me. Taking a deep breath, I followed him upstairs.


    Once I entered the study, I thought Zack would question me, but he didn¡¯t. Instead, he handed me


    the gift box I had given him. ¡°Maddie, open it up and use the new brush and ink set to write a few


    words with me.¡±


    It had been a long time since he had invited me to practice calligraphy with him. At least three years


    had passed since Bree said that once children became adults, they needed space from their


    parents. It was especially so for me since I wasn¡¯t their biological daughter.


    Ever since then, Zack stopped asking me to join him in his calligraphy sessions, and the study


    became off- limits. Even when he needed to speak with me, we had our conversations in the living


    room or the courtyard.


    Today, he asked me to go to the study with me as he had when I was younger. It made me uneasy,


    but I didn¡¯t ask any questions.


    Following his instructions, I opened the brush and ink set, while he prepared the paper.


    He studied the brush and ink I handed him. ¡°This must have cost quite a lot of money,¡± he


    remarked.


    ¡°They¡¯re invaluable,¡± I replied with a smile.


    He smiled as well. ¡°Indeed. Let¡¯s take turns. I¡¯ll write first, and you can grind the ink. Then we can


    switch


    roles.¡±


    That was how we used to do it in the past. I nodded and began grinding the ink.


    Zack didn¡¯t rush to write. First, he moistened the brush. Once I had ground some ink, he dipped his


    brush into it and wrote ¡°When a leaf falls, one knows autumn ising.


    Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    It was still summer, yet he chose this sentence. He was telling me that he knew what I was


    thinking.


    ¡°Your turn,¡± Zack said while handing the brush to r


    1. me.


    I hesitated before reaching out to take it. He offered a gentle smile, the same one he always wore.


    ¡°Why the hesitation? Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯ve forgotten how to write?¡±


    Even though his gaze was gentle, I felt an unprecedented amount of pressure. I nodded honestly.


    ¡°It¡¯s been a long time s

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    Redmption 161


    Ever since I wasn¡¯t obligated to practice calligraphy with Zack, I hadn¡¯t picked up a brush on my


    own in years. Despite being older now, I avoided doing work if could, just like when I was younger.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, just write freely. Express yourself however ites,¡± Zack encouraged while handing


    the brush to me once more. How could I refuse now?


    The brush felt considerably heavier in my hand nowpared to when I had held it in the store.


    Perhaps it was the ink weighing it down, or maybe it was the weight of Zack¡¯s expectations.


    He hoped that I was still able to write skilfully and that I still loved Chris as before. That way, I would


    still be closely rted to them.


    I started writing. My hand trembled, so the strokes were uneven despite my best efforts. I knew


    Zack wasn¡¯t really interested in the technical aspects of my calligraphy, he just wanted to glean


    what I was feeling.


    ¡°Live in the moment,¡± Zack read what I wrote out loud. Just like him, I also used my words to


    express my emotions.


    He didn¡¯t say anything else and just nodded. Then, he looked at me solemnly and said, ¡°Maddie, I


    wish you nothing but happiness.¡±


    He reached out his hand to shake mine, but I surprised him by pulling him into a gentle embrace.


    ¡°Thank you, Zack,¡± I murmured.


    Zack patted my back softly. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. You¡¯ve been mistreated. It¡¯s my fault for not keeping a closer


    eye on my son.¡±


    Earlier, Zack hadn¡¯t apologized when Breeined. Yet here he was, apologizing to me. Tears


    welled up in my eyes all of a sudden.


    Sensing my shift in mood, he patted my head before gently pulling away.


    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    He looked at my reddened eyes and said, ¡°I¡¯m aware of Chris¡® foolish actions, and I¡¯ve already dealt


    with it. If he mistreats you again, I¡¯lchase him out of the house. He should know better.¡±


    Initially, I was here toin about Chris and to ask Zack to take care of things, but Zack had


    addressed it before I could bring it up.


    He knew me well. The ten years we had spent together, even though we were not biologically


    rted, had forged a bond as strong as any blood rtion.


    ¡°Thank you, Zack.¡± I bowed.


    I wasn¡¯t only thankful for his siding with me and protecting me, but also for the love and care he had


    given me over the past decade.


    Zack reached for my hand. ¡°Don¡¯t do that. It makes me feel like¡­ you¡¯re nning to sever ties with


    us.¡±


    I shook my head. ¡°You and Bree will always be family.¡±


    Zack smiled. ¡°Yes. When I go downstairs, I¡¯ll tell that Brandon to treat you well. If he doesn¡¯t, I¡¯ll


    make his life a living hell.¡±


    This was the first time the gentle and elegant Zack threatened someone. I smiled as well. ¡°I¡¯ll


    definitely remind him.¡±


    Zack patted my head again. ¡°Maddie, no matter your decision, I only have one wish, and that¡¯s for


    you to


    be happy.¡±


    He was every bit the father figure I had never had. Tears welled up in my eyes once more, and I


    nodded.


    solemnly.


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s get downstairs. Bree is probably giving Brandon a hard time. She only sees you as her


    daughter¨Cinw and won¡¯t ept anyone else.¡±


    His words perfectly illustrated the saying, ¡°A husband knows his wife best.¡±


    I linked my arm through his. ¡°It¡¯s okay. Let her test him. If he can¡¯t handle it, then he¡¯s not the one


    for me.¡±


    Zack chuckled and smiled at me dotingly. Just as he was about to lead me downstairs, I tugged at


    his arm to stop him. ¡°Zack, there¡¯s something I want to ask you.¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± he said.


    I pursed my lips. My heart raced as I said, ¡°Was the car ident my parents were in really an


    ident?¡±

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    Redmption 162


    Zack halted abruptly. I even felt his body sway.


    I reached out to steady him. ¡°Zack¡­¡±


    He turned to look at me. ¡°Maddie, what prompted this question?¡±


    I recalled what Brandon said, but I couldn¡¯t bring myself to tell Zack. I could only make up an


    excuse. Just curious, that¡¯s all.¡±


    The smile vanishedpletely from Zack¡¯s face, leaving behind an expression that sent shivers


    down my spine.


    Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    ¡°Maddie, the car ident that your parents were in all those years ago truly was an ident. I was


    at the scene. There are police reports and assessments to back it up,¡± he said heavily.


    I hadn¡¯t been there and didn¡¯t know the whole situation. I knew Zack stopped me from going


    because he wanted to protect me. He didn¡¯t want me to see how gruesome it had been, but it also


    became one of my biggest regrets in life.


    ¡°Maddie, if you still have any doubts or don¡¯t believe me, you can check the records from back


    then.¡± Zack¡¯s face was ashen. The joy on his face from when we were chatting earlier had


    disappearedpletely.


    I knew that Zack had a strong bond with my father, not unlike that of real brothers. The mention of


    my parents¡® passing probably made him recall how tragic it had all been. It had upset him.


    I held his arm. ¡°No need. I believe you. I was just curious, that¡¯s all.¡±


    Zack gazed at me. I thought he was going to say something, but in the end, he didn¡¯t.


    After a pause, he sighed. ¡°Maddie, go downstairs first. I need some time alone.¡±


    My heart sank. He had wanted to go downstairs with me but changed his mind. ¡°Zack¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. Run along now.¡± Zack waved his hand.


    After I left the study, I didn¡¯t immediately go downstairs. Instead, I leaned against the wall and


    contemted.


    Zack¡¯s reaction was abnormal, but his sincerity left me unsure if he was truly hiding something.


    After a while, I made my way downstairs. I heard Bree and Brandon talking.


    I had been worried they wouldn¡¯t get along or Bree would make things difficult for Brandon. But


    when I heard the asionalughter from Bree, I felt relieved.


    What could he possibly have said to make Bree, who had reservations toward him,ugh?


    I walked down curiously and heard Bree say, ¡°Such a mischievous child. She was only this tall, and


    whenever she saw me, she wouldn¡¯t hesitate to call me ¡®Mom.¡® I used to say, ¡®If only you were my


    real daughter.¡±


    ¡°Her mother suggested we arrange a marriage between her and one of my sons, either Chris or


    Conrad. But Conrad was much older than her, so we settled on Chris.¡±


    This was the first time I had learned why they chose Chris and not Conrad as my husband in the


    arranged marriage.


    ¡°After her mother said that, Maddie immediately dered she wanted to marry Chris. She wasn¡¯t


    shy at


    all!¡± Bree chuckled.


    212


    So, it wasn¡¯t Brandon who had made herugh, but rather her own nostalgic musings. She was


    probably telling Brandon all this to agitate him.


    ¡°Mae¡¯s like that. She also loves calling others ¡®brother¡® and asking them to carry her,¡± Brandon said.


    I was shocked. He spoke as though he knew my childhood, but then I realized that he was simply


    responding to Bree.


    As I reached the bottom of the stairs, both Bree and Brandon looked up at me. I stared at them as


    and for a moment, nobody spoke.


    Bree broke the silence after a pause. ¡°Where¡¯s Zack? Why didn¡¯t hee down with you?¡±


    Recalling his reaction, I replied, ¡°He said he needed some time alone.¡±


    well.


    Studying my face, Bree seemed to have guessed something. ¡°Maddie, Zack loves you like his own


    child.¡±


    ¡°I know that.¡± I was also feeling upset.


    By then, Brandon had already stood up and walked to my side. The moment he held my hand, I


    saw his gaze turn dark. It was because my hands were cold.


    ¡°Is there anything else you wanted to talk about with Mrs. Gildon? If there isn¡¯t, let¡¯s go back. They


    need to rest. Let¡¯s not disturb them.¡± Brandon made up an excuse to leave.

 Redmption 163

    Redmption 163


    ¡°Alright,¡± I said and looked at Bree. ¡°Goodbye, Bree.¡±


    Bree also noticed my paleplexion, and she instinctively nced upstairs. She was probably


    wondering what I had said to Zack. She didn¡¯t urge us to stay. ¡°Drive safe.¡±


    Brandon and I left the house and climbed into the car. As I started the car, he held my hand.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± he asked.


    Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    ¡°Nothing major. I just brought up my parents,¡± I mumbled honestly.


    ¡°Did you ask about the car ident?¡± Brandon was able to guess what happened urately.


    I scoffed. ¡°You influenced me. I wanted to know if there was something more to it.¡±


    ¡°So, what did you find out?¡± he asked.


    Remembering Zack¡¯s words, I started the car and stepped on the elerator. I answered, ¡°Just an


    ident, apparently.¡±


    I drove the car out of Gildon estate. ¡°An investigation was carried out.¡±


    Brandon fell silent, and we continued our journey back into the city.


    The city was now aze with lights and the streets were bustling, especially the pedestrian streets,


    where traffic had already begun to slow to a crawl.


    ¡°Have you eaten yet?¡± I asked at a red light, breaking the silence between us.


    ¡°No,¡± Brandon replied honestly.


    I turned to look at him. ¡°Thanks for being here today. Il treat your to dinner.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± He didn¡¯t refuse.


    After finding a parking spot, I got out of the car.


    Pointing at the food stalls by the lively street, I dered, ¡°Tonight, you¡¯re the king. Pick anything you


    want.¡±


    The next moment, someone bumped into me. I lost my bnce and instinctively grabbed Brandon


    to steady myself.


    After I steadied myself, I looked up, only to see his face right in front of me. I realized I was grabbing


    his cor.


    Our pose felt like one straight out of a cheesy drama, perfectly executed by me. The worst part was


    Brandon¡¯s face was mere inches from mine, and our noses were touching. If either of us dared to


    move a muscle, our lips would definitely meet.


    So, neither of us moved. Inadvertently, the bustling street provided the perfect backdrop for our


    scene, attracting the attention of the passersby.


    Amidst the ¡°oohs¡± and whistles, a child even chimed in ¡°Kiss, kiss, kiss! Don¡¯t be shy!¡±


    Hearing the shouts of glee, I blushed. I quickly let go and tried to push Brandon away, but he


    wouldn¡¯t budge.


    Only then did I realize that he was holding my waist. Instead of letting me go, he pulled me closer


    and whispered in my ear, ¡°If you¡¯re shy, don¡¯t move. I¡¯ll get us out of here.¡±


    This time, I didn¡¯t object and stopped pushing him. I let him navigate us through the crowd.


    2/2


    Unfortunately, the crowd wasn¡¯t about to let us go that easily. They kept cheering and asking us to


    kiss. They were clearly enjoying this.


    I had held hands and hugged Brandon before, but a kiss was entirely off¨Climits.


    ¡°Kiss, kiss, kiss¡­¡± The more we wanted to dash out of here, the louder the chants grew.


    ¡°Think of something! Anything!¡± I said, pinching Brandon.


    ¡°There are just too many people. It¡¯s going to be tough to leave,¡± Brandon said helplessly.


    I was so anxious that I was sweating profusely. Just then, Brandon leaned in again and whispered


    into my


    ear, ¡°How about we give them what they want? A kiss. Consider it a freeble.¡±


    My eyes widened and I stared at him in shock. I momentarily forgot the cheering crowd.

 Redmption 164

    Redmption 164


    I had struck a deal with my blind date, where there was a fee each for holding hands, hugging, and


    event


    kissing.


    Brandon mentioning it now made it clear he knew about this. It seemed there was more to the he


    had scared off that guy by beating him, but he had never said a word about it. Brandon really knew


    how to make me speechless.


    story


    after


    Instead of kissing me, he grabbed my hand and bolted through the crowd.


    It was my first time sprinting through a bustling city, and my surroundings were a blur of astonished


    faces. People didn¡¯t know why we were running, but they instinctively made way, creating a


    makeshiftne for us.


    There we were, Brandon and I, racing down the middle of a crowded street while people stepped


    aside.


    Holding my hand, he would turn to nce at me from time to time. The scene was so beautiful and


    surreal, and I felt like we were the main characters of a movie.


    The wind whipped through my hair, and as I watched Brandon pull me along, I felt like we were


    eloping. We ran until my lungs burned, and then Brandon finally slowed down and stopped. Both of


    us panted heavily while staring at each other. His hand was still wrapped firmly in mine.


    My heart was pounding like a drum, partly from running, and partly from the exhrating experience


    Brandon had just given me.


    We didn¡¯t speak and just took some time to gatch our breaths.


    But Brandon showed no signs of letting my hand go. In fact, I noticed his Adam¡¯s apple bob again. I


    found myself doing the same thing, and sparks flew around us.


    My heart hammered even faster in my chest. Swallowing hard due to nervousness, I finally


    managed to break the silence. ¡°Um¡­ why did you run?¡±


    ¡°Would you have preferred kissing in front of all those people?¡± Brandon asked. His words caused


    my cheeks to burn immediately.


    Speechless, I tried to yank my hand free, but Brandon Held on tight. In my embarrassment and


    frustration, I stomped on his foot.


    Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    He yelped in pain and immediately released his grip. I seized the opportunity to make a break for it.


    I heard him chuckling softly behind me, and it made my face feel even hotter.


    Brandon silently trailed behind me. After giving me a moment to recover from the embarrassment,


    he called out to me in front of a stall selling chocte¨Ccovered fruit. ¡°I want to eat this.¡±


    I promised I would treat him, so naturally, I couldn¡¯t ignore him.


    I stopped and looked at the stall. There were chocte¨Ccovered fruits in all shapes and sizes, from


    traditional varieties to seasonal fruits. It was a vibrant disy, and I felt my mouth watering.


    Even though I loved chocte¨Ccovered fruits, I didn¡¯t show it. I turned to look at Brandon. ¡°Which


    one do you want?¡±


    ¡°What about you?¡± he asked instead.


    I scanned the options and pointed at some smaller chocte¨Ccovered fruits. ¡°One of each of these,


    please,¡±


    22


    Then I looked back at Brandon. ¡°Your turn.¡±


    He opted for a chocte¨Ccovered apple. ¡°I want this one.¡±


    Once we had decided, I scanned the QR code to pay.


    Brandon didn¡¯t make a fuss about paying, which I appreciated. I had offered to treat him, and if he


    had. insisted on paying, it would have made me feel even more indebted. It would have taken away


    from the enjoyment of the treats.


    As I enjoyed my sweet treat, Brandon suddenly spoke up. ¡°Is yours good?¡±


    I


    I nced at the untouched chocte¨Ccovered fruit in his hand. ¡°Why? Do you want mine?¡±


    ¡°It looks amazing,¡± Brandon replied, making me want to roll my eyes.


    If it looked so good, why hadn¡¯t he chosen it in the first ce? Now, he wanted mine?


    ¡°Yours must be delicious too,¡± I coaxed yfully. ¡°It¡¯s an apple, after all.¡± Anyway, I didn¡¯t n to


    swap with him. I really liked what I had chosen.

 Redmption 165

    Redmption 165


    ¡°Then you try it.¡± Brandon brought his chocte¨Ccovered apple near my mouth.


    I Instinctively twisted my head away, but he was persistent, seemingly determined to see me eat it.


    I


    There was no escaping, so I reluctantly opened my mouth and took a bite. It was sweet and sour.


    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    While not unpleasant, I preferred sweeter fruits, like the ones I bought. But seeing Brandor¡¯s


    expectant gaze, I smiled and pretended that it tasted good. I mumbled while chewing, ¡°It¡¯s really


    good.¡±


    ¡°I want to try yours,¡± Brandon said. He didn¡¯t eat his treat and asked for mine instead.


    I instinctively hid the treat behind my back, like a child protecting a prized candy bar.


    Brandonughed. ¡°I just want a taste, not the whole thing.-Look at how worried you are.¡±


    His yful teasing continued. ¡°Such a stingy one, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    Maybe he was right. It was just a chocte¨Ccovered fruit after all. Fine. I would give it to him.


    I took out my treat from its hiding ce. I had chosen a box filled with five different, bite¨Csized


    chocte- covered fruits. ¡°Here. Take your pick.¡±


    Ignoring the treats inside the box, Brandon looked at the one in my hand. ¡°I want that one,¡± he


    stated simply.


    I was rendered speechless. That was the one I had already taken a bite out of.


    Before I could protest, Brandon had already leaned in and eaten my treat. He had eaten the


    strawberry in


    the center.


    I only looked down at my treat when he finished swallowing. Only one lonely fruit remained. I didn¡¯t


    know


    If I should eat it or not.


    Brandon started walking away, leaving me staring at his back. My gaze shifted between him and the


    remaining fruit, a sweet green grape. It was the best vor of the bunch.


    It would be a waste to throw it away, so I ate it, intending to finish it quickly.


    But just as I was about to swallow, Brandon turned around. There was a mischievous grin on his


    face. Heat flooded back to my cheeks again.


    ¡°It¡¯s a bit too sweet. I need a drink,¡± Brandon said. He pointed at a nearby drink stall and saved me


    from- my embarrassment.


    ¡°Go get one,¡± I offered generously. After what happened with the chocte¨Ccovered fruits, I learned


    my lesson. I let him decide first before I paid.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you thirsty?¡± he asked. It was hard to tell if he was genuinely confused or simply enjoying my


    difort.


    ¡°No, I¡¯m fine,¡± I mumbled. After paying. I walked away swiftly.


    Brandon followed me silently. Even though we had walked for a considerable distance, he didn¡¯t say


    a word. Had he gotten lost?


    But every time I turned around to nce at him, he was still there. He maintained afortable


    distance.


    Finally, I couldn¡¯t stand it anymore and stopped to ask him, ¡°Why are you following me? This is


    Hilcord. you know. What if you get lost?


    My question was almostical considering he wasn a child.


    ¡°Just keeping an eye on you.¡± His response left me speechless. I blushed furiously again.


    It seemed like I was blushing a bit too much recently Did I have some kind of disease? Maybe I


    should visit a doctor.


    But I didn¡¯t want Brandon to know that I was embarrassed, so I retorted stubbornly, ¡°Who asked you


    to keep an eye on me? Go on, walk in front. If you want something to eat, tell me now. Otherwise,


    they¡¯ll all be sold out.¡±


    So far, he had only eaten chocte¨Ccovered fruits and drank water.


    ¡°What are you craving?¡± Brandon asked out of the blue Before I could answer, he said, ¡°I¡¯ll have


    whatever you¡¯re having.¡±

 Redmption 166

    Redmption 166


    I wanted to have shaved ice, my favorite treat. Brandon, however, frowned upon seeing my order.


    ¡°Not a fan?¡± I teased.


    ¡°Not exactly the healthiest choice,¡± Brandonmented.


    I smiled mischievously. ¡°Wow, Brandon. You seem to be quite the expert on women¡¯s health. Is this


    really your first time dating?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Brandon affirmed.


    I pouted and shot him a look which said I didn¡¯t believe him.


    ¡°Well, I do have a sister, so I¡¯ve picked up a thing or two about women¡¯s health.¡± Brandon¡¯s words


    caught me off guard, and my hand paused in its movement.


    A sister? This was news to me. Suddenly, a melody popped into my head¨Chow many good sisters


    do you have?


    As if reading my mind, Brandon added, ¡°We share the same parents. We¡¯re rted by blood.¡±


    I retracted my gaze and took another bite of my shaved ice. ¡°You never mentioned her before.¡±


    Just never found the right opportunity to bring it up,¡± Brandon mumbled as he took a bite of my


    dessert. He frowned immediately after.


    Clearly, he didn¡¯t like it, just like Chris. He used to preach about how these icy treats were


    detrimental to one¡¯s health. Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Recalling this memory, I felt upset. ¡°If you don¡¯t like it, no need to force it down. You can order


    something else.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay. It¡¯s just a little cold.¡± Brandon looked at me. ¡°Eating something so cold at night might not


    be the best idea for your stomach.¡±


    sa


    I stayed silent as a way of protesting. Brandon seemed to get the message and didn¡¯t press the


    issue any further. We finished the shaved ice quietly.


    ¡°Maddie?¡± A familiar voice, tinged with surprise, sounded behind me.


    Turning around, I saw Derick. A young woman with wless makeup was holding his arm.


    ¡°Hello, Derick,¡± I greeted.


    ¡°Enjoying some shaved ice all alone?¡± Derick asked as he hadn¡¯t noticed Brandon,


    Before I could answer, Brandon put his spoon into my bowl and scooped up a portion of my shaved


    ice. It¡¯s a little too cold. You shouldn¡¯t have too much,¡± he said.


    Derick¡¯s eyes widened as they darted back and forth between me and Brandon. He clearly wanted


    to ask what was going on.


    Remembering how Derick was rted to Chris, I smiled slyly. ¡°Actually, I¡¯m here with my


    boyfriend.¡±


    As I spoke, I wrapped my arm around Brandon¡¯s. He nodded subtly in Derick¡¯s direction without


    hesitation.


    ¡°You?¡± Derick finally managed to get a good look at Brandon, and he finally recognized him. They


    had met before at the amusement park thest time.


    Brandon nodded again, but he remained silent.


    But Derick was shocked and shook his head in disbelief. ¡°No way¡­ Maddie, what¡¯s going on here?


    Tell me.


    ¡°There¡¯s not much to exin. I have a boyfriend, and we went to the Gildon estate to visit Zack and


    Bree just now.¡± I wanted to show Derick that we were serious.


    ¡°This¡­ This is all happening a little too fast, wouldn¡¯t you say?¡± Derick sputtered.


    I scoffed silently. Compared to Chris, who had already gotten together with Jewel before we even


    broke up, wasn¡¯t I going slowly?


    ¡°Remember when you encouraged me to move on, Derick?¡± I countered.


    Derick scratched his head sheepishly and chuckled. Alright, alright. I knew you were tougher than


    you looked: You bite.¡±


    His gaze shifted to Brandon, and then he mouthed to me, ¡°Well done.¡±


    I knew Derick supported me in leaving Chris. He had always sided with me when it came to my


    rtionship with Chris. He was a really good friend.


    ¡°Alright, you two enjoy your dessert. Bring him to hang out with me sometime. Let¡¯s see what he¡¯s


    made of,¡± Derick said. He then left with the young woman.


    Spin to im Your Surprise Reward!

 Redmption 167

    Redmption 167


    1/7


    I didn¡¯t ask Derick who he was with. Judging from her heavy makeup and mboyant outfit, she was


    clearly a fling of his and not a serious girlfriend.


    As Derick disappeared into the night, I noticed that my bowl was empty. Brandon had eaten all my


    shaved


    ice.


    ¡°Let¡¯s grab something else to eat,¡± Brandon said shamelessly.


    Gritting my teeth, I said, ¡°Sure.¡±


    Brandon led me to a spaghetti stall and ordered two tes. This time, he didn¡¯t steal my food


    because the food was warm. Apparently, it wasn¡¯t because he liked shaved ice that he ate it; he


    simply didn¡¯t want


    me to have too much.


    He was annoying, but it stemmed from a ce of genuine care.


    After we finished eating, we continued our stroll. We saw a stall selling pets, while another stall sold


    nts.


    In the end, I purchased two potted nts for Brandon. ¡°Your ce seems a bit empty. These will


    add a touch of life. A gift from me.¡±


    Am I not vibrant enough for your liking?¡± he teased. If he was the epitome of vibrancy, then there


    was no hope for any man on earth.


    ¡°Think of them as perfumes¨Ca surefire way to enhance your romantic prospects,¡± I countered.


    Brandon chuckled upon hearing me.


    ¡±


    I had a strong feeling that there was another meaning behind his smile, so I raised a hand in


    warning before he could speak. ¡°Not a word.¡±


    He listened to me and stayed silent..


    We continued to stroll around with Brandon carrying the potted nts. We walked until midnight, but


    the streets were still bustling.


    Remembering that he had to work tomorrow, I said, ¡°Let¡¯s head back.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you want to walk around anymore?¡± Brandon asked.


    1 feigned exhaustion and yawned. ¡°No, I¡¯m tired.¡±


    We turned around and made our way back. Brandon kept quiet the entire time, but I didn¡¯t notice


    because my attention was on the various trinket and snack stalls lining the street.


    When I spotted a disy of colorful flower headbands, grabbed one and put it on my head.


    mischievously. ¡°Does it look good?¡± I asked.


    When I didn¡¯t hear a response, I turned around, only to see his face drained of color. Despite his


    obvious difort, he still nodded as he looked at my head.¡± Looks good.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t look good though, I said, striding toward him. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?¡±


    I saw beads of sweat trickling down his forehead. He was sweating profusely. I held his wrist and


    asked, Are you sick?¡±


    ¡°My stomach doesn¡¯t feel right,¡± he said honestly.


    The image of him eating shaved ice shed before my eyes. ¡°It was the shaved ice, wasn¡¯t it?¡±


    2/2


    He hesitated. I tightened my grip on his wrist in response. Finally, he said a soft ¡°Yeah.¡±


    I was furious all of a sudden. ¡°How long has it been bothering you?¡± I demanded.


    ¡°Since we started walking back¡­¡± I really wanted to smack him, but upon seeing his pale face, I


    pulled him along instead. ¡°I¡¯m bringing you to the hospital.¡±


    But Brandon resisted and pulled me back. Before I could react, he had already whipped out his


    phone and paid for the flower headband.


    I had only tried it on for fun, with no intention of buying it. But now that he had pald, I had no choice


    but to keep it.


    Seeing how much difort he was in, I decided against arguing and focused on getting him to the


    hospital.


    Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    Since it waste, I wasn¡¯t sure if a regr doctor would be avable, so I called Lisa. Unfortunately,


    she didn¡¯t pick up my call. I had no choice but to take Brandon to the emergency¨Croom.


    After a thorough examination, the doctor diagnosed him with stomach flu. He needed an IV drip.


    Brandon had gotten sick because of me, so I couldn¡¯t just leave him alone, I kept himpany in


    the infusion room. Brandon was usually stoic, but now, he looked both pitiful andical as he


    battled the stomach cramps.


    Unable to resist it, I took out my phone and snapped a picture of him. Brandon noticed and reached


    out to stop me. ¡°Stop messing around.¡±


    ¡°You stop messing around.¡± I dodged.


    He tried to take my phone, and I dodged again. Although he was on an IV drip, we messed around


    happily until someone came in.


    We both stopped. When I saw who it was, my smile faded away.

 Redmption 168

    Redmption 168


    Chris was standing at the door. He wasn¡¯t smiling.


    Ever since we broke up, every encounter seemed to leave us both furious.


    At this moment, I was yfully bantering with Brandon, while Jewel stood beside him. He had


    imed to have cut ties with Jewel, but there was some truth in what others said¨Ca man¡¯s word was


    as good as the


    wind.


    I recovered from my shock soon and averted my gaze. Some people were simply an eyesore, and


    the saying ¡°Out of sight, out of mind¡± couldn¡¯t be more apt in this situation.


    Brandon also ignored Chris and held my hand, but he didn¡¯t try to take my phone. Instead, he said,


    ¡°If you¡¯re set on taking pictures, I can promise you better ones another day.¡±


    His words were suggestive, and he had said it in a casual yet affectionate tone that couples who


    spent a long time together used,


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Chris took two menacing steps forward. ¡°Madeline,¡± he shouted as if he was the king.


    He didn¡¯t seem to care about Jewel, who was standing beside him.


    I didn¡¯t even spare Chris a nce and just said, ¡°I¡¯m busy.¡±


    I was indeed busy. I had to apany Brandon to receive his infusion.


    The next second, Chris reached out his hand to grab me. He tried to force me to listen to him.


    But before he could make contact, Brandon grabbed his hand and stopped him. Tension rose in the


    air as the two men silentlypeted with each other.


    Yet, things couldn¡¯t go on like this, not with Brandon hooked up to an IV. Even if Brandon could


    easily overpower Chris, a fight would only disrupt Brandon¡¯s treatment.


    I knew I wouldn¡¯t be able to intervene without escting the situation further. After all, I was the


    reason they were fighting.


    Looking at Jewel, whose expression was dark, I snapped, ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to do something?¡±


    Jewel remained rooted to the spot, so I red at her coldly. I wasn¡¯t sure how intimidating my gaze


    was, but it was enough to make her shiver when she saw it.


    I didn¡¯t need to say another word. She scurried to Chris and said meekly, ¡°Chris, I don¡¯t feel well.


    We need to get my IV started.¡±


    She was here for an IV drip? That was rare for a pregnant woman. After all, the medication could


    potentially harm the baby.


    Just as I was puzzling over this, I heard a nearby nurse call out, ¡°Prenatal care IV? This way,


    please.¡± Thete hour meant that the infusion room was empty, so there was no mistaking it. The


    call was for Jewel. Prenatal care? Was her baby in danger?


    I looked at her belly instinctively. Jewel clung to Chris even tighter as she said weakly, ¡°Chris, the


    doctor¡¯s calling me.¡±


    Jewel dragged Chris away. He had no choice but to stop ring at me and leave with her.


    I could tell that Chris was simmering with rage. He looked like he wanted to settle scores with me


    and fight to the death with Brandon


    ZZ


    But in the end, he still suppressed all his rage because of Jewel and obediently followed her out.


    Chris was the second heir to the Gildons. Everyone pampered him and let him do as he pleased


    ever since he was a child. He never yielded to anyone, but now, he yielded to Jewel.


    He wouldn¡¯t do it if he didn¡¯t love her deeply. But if he loved her, he wouldn¡¯t be jealous when he


    saw me and Brandon, especially when Jewel was there.


    I was perplexed about Chris¡® rtionship with Jewel, but I wasn¡¯t about to waste more brainpower to


    untangle this mess. I looked at Brandon and said, ¡°Focus on your IV drip.¡±


    I didn¡¯t want Brandon to get into any scuffles, even though he would win against Chris every time.


    Brandon sat down, while I sat beside him like earlier. However, the atmosphere was no longer light


    and


    fun.


    From where I sat, I could hear the nurse talking to Jewel as she administered the IV drip. I couldn¡¯t


    ignore their conversation even if I wanted to.

 Redmption 169

    Redmption 169


    From Jewel¡¯s conversation with the nurse, I found out that Jewel fell down at the amusement park,


    which triggeredplications with her pregnancy.


    So, something did happen in the end, but who could she me? She had brought it on herself.


    After the needle was inserted into Jewel¡¯s hand, she shuffled over for her IV drip with Chris


    supporting her. They sat down directly across from Brandon and me.


    It felt like Chris wouldn¡¯t be satisfied until he had caused a scene. But for now, he just sat there and


    remained silent. Brandon and I treated him like he was invisible.


    But Chris was here to cause trouble, so how was it possible that he would keep quiet the entire


    time?


    Barely two minutes into the silence, he questioned, ¡°Madeline, why did you bring him home


    tonight?¡±


    In fact, before he spoke, I had already known that he wouldsh out because of what happened


    tonight. As expected, I was right.


    ¡°It means I¡¯m starting a new chapter,¡± I replied calmly.


    Chris scoffed and looked at Brandon disdainfully. ¡°With him?¡±


    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    ¡°Yes, with him,¡± I emphasized while cing my hand over Brandon¡¯s.


    Chrisughed dryly. ¡°Madeline,e on. Your ear always turns red when you lie. Try again when


    you¡¯ve grown out of that habit.¡±


    I had forgotten about it until he mentioned it, My hand instinctively reached for my ears, but I


    stopped myself just in time. If I showed any signs of guilt, Brandon and my efforts in putting on a


    show would have, been in vain.


    I stared at Chris, who stared back. The anger subsided on his face, and he smiled slyly instead. It


    was clear he didn¡¯t believe a word I said.


    ¡°Her ears also be red when she¡¯s angry,¡± Brandon said.


    Chris shot him a cold re as if to say it wasn¡¯t his ce to intervene. But Brandon¡¯s words


    reminded me that my ears indeed turned red when I was angry. So, I didn¡¯t need to feel guilty now.


    However, how did Brandon know this? Had he picked up on this subtle detail in the few days we


    had known each other? If that was the case, then he was a keen observer indeed.


    ¡°Every time I see you, my ears turn red, Chris,¡± I said calmly and slowly.


    Chris¡® fury red momentarily, but he managed to contain it. Instead, he sneered, ¡°You¡¯re my


    woman, and you¡¯re just taking advantage of that to make me angry.¡±


    How shameless! And he even called me ¡°his woman, which was so tant and easily


    misunderstood


    My point was proven when I saw how dark Jewel¡¯s face was.


    Just then, Brandon reached for rgy hand. Before I could react, I felt a warm touch on the back of it.


    He had kissed my hand.


    Brandon had shut Chris up with actions. Although I knew Brandon was putting on a show with me, I


    blushed when I sensed the warmth of his kiss lingering on my skin.


    Brandon kissing me in public made Chris fly into a rage. He shot up from his seat, but just as he


    did,


    Jewel grabbed him. With tears in her eyes, she said, ¡°just want to get an IV drip peacefully. If you


    don¡¯t


    want to stay with me, I won¡¯t get one anymore.¡±


    2/2


    With trembling hands, Jewel reached for the IV, but Chris stopped her. Tears streamed down her


    face as if each drop that hit the floor was the sound of her heart breaking.


    Her tears worked. Chris calmed down and sat back down.


    Meanwhile, Brandon¡¯s IV drip was done. I called the nurse to remove the needle.


    Brandon¡¯s clothes were a little messy after getting the IV drip. I reached out and straightened it out


    for him. I could feel Chris¡® burning gaze on us.


    Determined to make him back down,, I made a bold decision. I grabbed Brandon¡¯s cor, pulled him


    down, and kissed his lips with my head tilted up.

 Redmption 170

    Redmption 170


    Chap 170


    I distinctly felt Brandon¡¯s body tremble. I supposed my kiss took him aback. The next second, he


    grabbed me by my waist. It was precisely then that my lips left his before I shed him a soft smile.


    ¡°That¡¯s your reward for taking the needle so well.¡±


    As I uttered those words, I suddenly remembered the times when Chris was sick and had to


    receive injections. He was the most fearful of needles, which was why he would rather suffer alone


    than to the hospital.


    one was synonymous w


    go


    To him, receiving torture. He was practically one tantrum cry away from acting like a total brat..


    I¡¯d had tofort him for a long time as if I was with a kid. I¡¯d have to cover his eyes during the


    injection. One time, I even let him bite my arm as the needle entered his skin.


    Hence, I felt immensely relieved as though I hadpleted an impossible mission every time Chris


    received his injection. He would even ask for rewards afterward, like me dancing, singing for him, or


    even buying him gifts. In other words, he became Little Chris whenever he was sick and needed an


    injection.


    To reiterate, Little Chris was far from likable.


    In contrast, Brandon¡¯s injection process was effortless. I didn¡¯t need to say or do anything to assist


    him. Even when the needle pricked his skin, he asked me to turn around and look away. Afraid I


    would be bored, he didn¡¯t insist on my stay and suggested I take a stroll.


    Of course,parison was the thief of joy. Now that a disparity was made, I realized I was never


    Chris¡® counterpart but rather a helper.


    In response to my words, Brandon tightened his grip on my waist. His voice was low and raspy. ¡°I


    can¡¯t wait to be sick again.¡±


    I was speechless. I knew what he meant but didn¡¯t reply to him. Following that, I was ready to leave


    with


    him.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    It was then Chris¡® voice rang out.. ¡°You got back at me. Now, we¡¯re even, Madeline.


    I paused and turned toward him.


    His face carried a hint of anger, but his tone remained calm. He repeated, ¡°We¡¯re even, Maddie.¡±


    It was at that moment Chris enlightened me how shameless one could be.


    ¡°You¡¯re a nuthead, Chris!¡± I scolded him and left.


    Brandon¡¯s hand remained on my waist until we exited the hospital and arrived at the parking lot. I


    was about to open the car door when he unexpectedly grabbed my shoulders. Then, he turned my


    body around and pressed me against the car.


    His gaze was soulful and sparkling. It was as if the twinkling stars in the night sky had fallen into his


    eyes. He didn¡¯t say anything as he looked at me. His stare, however, made my heart feel like it was


    racing out of my chest.


    I knew the kiss earlier had ignited something in this man. After all, I was no fool.


    That was why I needed to make things clear.


    make C


    I piped up. ¡°Brandon, I was just trying to get over me. Don¡¯t misunderstand.¡±


    Immediately, I could see that the light in Brandon¡¯s eyes was dimming. He rubbed his eyes a little.


    ¡°You


    mean it was just for show?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right. What else could it be? We¡¯re not in a real rtionship, anyway.¡± I smiled sarcastically,


    knowing how fake my smile wasing across.


    Brandon¡¯s hands tightened around my shoulders. ¡°Your acting was very convincing.¡±


    ¡°Well, it had to be for Chris to buy it.¡± I meant it.


    I kissed Brandon because I wanted Chris to get over mepletely. What I didn¡¯t anticipate was he


    took it as an act of petty revenge. Not only did I waste my effort, but I also got myself into double the


    trouble! The most frustrating thing now was that Brandon had taken the kiss seriously.


    Still, I couldn¡¯t get his hopes up about us. He was an honest, good man. I couldn¡¯t drag him into this


    mess.


    My palmnded on his chest. I nudged him. ¡°Don¡¯t fall for this y.¡±


    Brandon¡¯s grim expression made it hard for me to look at him.


    He didn¡¯t release me, nor did I push him away. I was stuck in his invisible cage, and my breathing


    felt irregr. Just as I was ready to escape from under his arms, his low voice sounded. ¡°If it were


    your blind date or any other man, would you have kissed them too?

 Redmption 171

    Redmption 171


    1/2


    Oh? Well, I¡¯d never thought about that.


    The answer was probably a no. After all, I had rarely kissed anyone in my life. Even with Chris, the


    man I was in love with, I only ever stole some kisses while he was sick or drunkenly asleep.


    Regardless, those were simply on his cheeks or the back of his hands.


    Yet, the kiss Brandon and I shared earlier was on the lips, which rarely happened with Chris.


    Chris had only kissed me on the cheeks and forehead but never on the lips. He even once said,


    ¡°We¡¯ve known each other for too long. Maddie. I can¡¯t kiss you on the lips.¡±


    In truth, he simply did not love me. Some said that when a couple kissed, their tongues intertwined,


    which released dopamine. It was supposedly irresistible. Hence, if one could resist the other, there


    simply was no love.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care about the what¨Cifs,¡± I replied to Brandon.


    He tightened his jaw, and his Adam¡¯s apple was bobbing. ¡°But I want to know.¡± His gaze conveyed


    an unwavering determination. I felt pressured.


    I became nervous and jokingly teased, ¡°Wait, don¡¯t tell me that was your first kiss. Is that why it


    bothers you so much?¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± His resolute answer froze my smile.


    Secondster, I said something only a yboy would say, ¡°Let me make it up to you.¡±


    ¡°And how will you do that?¡± Brandon asked quickly.


    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    I was supposed to dominate this conversation, but I ended up following his lead. Of course, I knew


    what he wanted from me..


    Pursing my lips, I came up with the best way to effectively reject him. ¡°Brandon, we¡¯ve talked about


    this. We¡¯re only putting on a show, and that includes all our physical interactions. If you can¡¯t be


    professional about it, I can only look for someone else.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re gonna swap me out like you swap your outfits? Brandon¡¯s tone was as cold as ice.


    I smiled faintly, looking nonchnt. ¡°I don¡¯t want to, but considering your attitude, you leave me with


    no choice.¡±


    Brandon no longer said anything. His figure radiated coldness as if he wanted to freeze me solid. I


    braved the chilling atmosphere and calmly poked his sore spo


    ¡°I understand you¡¯re an innocent guy. Now that I think about it, I did take advantage of you by


    holding your hands, hugging you, and kissing you during our arrangement. Hence, our pretend


    rtionshipes to an end now.¡±


    With that, I shoved him away and got into the car. Seeing his still figure, I rolled down the car


    window and looked at him. ¡°Aren¡¯t youing?¡±


    He didn¡¯t say anything.


    With a smirk, 1 rolled the window shut and left with a step on the pedal.


    As the car drove a few feet into the distance, I glimpsed into the rearview mirror and saw Brandon


    standing beneath the dark sky. He looked lonely as though the world had abandoned him.


    At that moment, I felt terrible about my actions.


    2/2


    I wasn¡¯t sure whether Brandon would return to his rental house opposite my ce, but I knew I


    didn¡¯t want to go back there.


    As such, I called Lisa, but she didn¡¯t pick up her phone. It seemed like she was working in the


    operating room again.


    Since that was the case, I could only go home. Upon arrival, I purposely looked up to check


    Brandon¡¯s windows before I hopped out of the car.


    It was dark. He didn¡¯t return.


    I had no clue where he might go. I sighed deeply, then got out of the car and headed upstairs.


    When I arrived upstairs, I saw a person standing in the dark hallway. Right then, the memory of my


    blind. date stalking me came into mind.


    Immediately, I became tense and halted. Then, I turned around and fled!

 Redmption 172

    Redmption 172


    ¡°It¡¯s me!¡± A familiar voice echoed in the hallway.


    I swiftly held onto the railing and stopped. My tense body could finally rx.


    Soon, I turned around and headed upstairs, where I saw Brandon standing in the dark. Our


    previous interaction left things awkward, and I didn¡¯t know what to say. Still, I was genuinely


    shocked by the incident earlier, so I pretended to be angry. ¡°You scared the heck out of me!¡±


    He simply grunted again. I never knew how to respond to that because that response was so cold.


    I was about to say more when he added softly, ¡°I won¡¯t do it again.¡±


    This time, I was at a total loss for words.


    Thus, I fished out my key and went to unlock my door. Just as I inserted the key into the keyhole,


    his low and deep voice rang again. ¡°I overstepped my boundaries tonight. I won¡¯t do it again in the


    future.¡±


    Huh?


    Stunned, I turned around, only to see he had entered through the half¨Copen door. He nced at me


    as he closed the door. ¡°Goodnight.¡±


    I wanted to say something, but the words stuck in my throat only came out after he shut his door.


    ¡°What do you mean by ¡°in the future¡°?¡±


    I knew what he meant, though. He didn¡¯t want to end our fake rtionship.


    But I truly didn¡¯t want to continue our arrangement; in fact, I was afraid to do so.


    I even regretted choosing Brandon to be my pretend boyfriend, not out of fear that he would not


    leave me alone, but out of fear of hurting him.


    I felt like a jerk for taking advantage of a man who had never had a real girlfriend and stealing all his


    supposedly wonderful first experiences in a rtionship.


    I cursed myself as I entered rty home feeling utterly remorseful. I couldn¡¯t sleep well the whole night.


    In my dreams, Brandon followed me around like a weakling andined, ¡°Why did you kiss me?


    That was my first kiss!¡±


    Waking up from the nightmare of utter guilt, I rose to see that the sky was still dark. It was early in


    the morning. I checked the time, and it was 4:30 am.


    Brandon should be awake by this hour, and if I was right, he should be out on a jog now. In other


    words, it was the perfect time to avoid him.


    As such, I swiftly went to wash up, change clothes, and left. When my car drove into the morning


    light, I pitied myself for living like a thief in my own home.


    To avoid Brandon, I left home early and returnedte, skilfully killing any chances of running into


    him. However, the cold breakfast left at my doorstep only deepened my sense of guilt when I


    returned home every night.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    I had tried to text him not to do so a couple of times, but when the worry of him striking¨Cup more


    conversations about it arose, I decided to ignore itpletely. He should be able to understand my


    stance if he saw the untouched breakfast.


    To my expectation, no breakfast was hanging on my doorknob after my third day of returning from


    work, I breathed a sigh of relief, but deep down, I was rather disappointed


    2/2


    That feeling made me curse myself even more¡­


    It was true that one thrived at work when one failed in love. My work went well, and I even secured


    a major deal over a phone call. At this stage, a meeting in person was required to finalize the


    details.


    ¡°Ms. Crown, I heard you¡¯ve beening to work at 6:00 amtely,¡± said the smiling Xander, who I


    ran into


    at the pantry.

 Redmption 173

    Redmption 173


    C


    I smirked and nodded. ¡°I wanted to familiarize myself with thepany¡¯s operations.¡±


    ¡°I understand, but you¡¯reing way too early. We won¡¯t pay you for your overtime, you know?¡±


    Xander joked.


    I smiled faintly. ¡°No, I¡¯m contributing my time willingly


    ¡°Well, you¡¯re the department head for a reason. If everyone is as hardworking as you, Hueton


    Corporation will soar to greater heights soon!¡±


    His words sounded ironic to me as he was never a sincere person to begin with. Hence, I didn¡¯t take


    his


    praise seriously.


    ¡°Anyway, we can¡¯t rely solely on you to improve thepany. I see your effort, Ms. Crown, and I


    have reported that to our boss. He advised you not to continue like this, in case you overwork


    yourself and get into trouble. That would be ourpany¡¯s loss.¡±


    Xander was forbidding me to go to work early. Whatever. I didn¡¯t need to avoid Brandon anymore,


    anyway. Seeing that he had not delivered any breakfast to my doorstep recently, I believed he


    understood


    my stance now.


    ¡°I heard you have a clienting over today. A major one too!¡± Xander changed the topic.


    ¡°Yeah, he¡¯s arriving at 10:00 am. One more hour to go, said with a smile. ¡°I¡¯ll go prepare for the


    meeting if there¡¯s nothing else, Mr. Roulder.¡±


    ¡°Alright. Good luck, Ms. Crown.¡± He raised his cup of coffee at me.


    After I returned to my office, I perused the document needed for the meetingter. At 9:50 am, I


    entered


    the conference room in advance to check its interior.


    Indeed, this uing client I was about to meet was vital to thepany. If the deal was secured,


    it would not onlypensate for the loss of client resources taken by Chris a few days ago but also


    boost our performance by another two percentage points.


    At 10:00 am sharp, the client arrived. However, my face turned gloomy as soon as I saw the


    person.


    It was Chris.


    Since the coboratingpany was not Gildon Corporation, I supposed he had disguised himself


    with his secretpany.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    He took in my expression and shed me a gentle smile while extending his hand, ¡°Hello, Ms.


    Crown.¡±


    I did not shake his hand and merely looked at his arrogant face. My anger at that point was through


    the roof, but I did not show it. Instead, I looked at him coldly. ¡°Are you here for a coboration or a


    fight, Mr.


    Gildon?


    ¡°A coboration, of course! What else can it be?¡± Chris looked mischievous and evil at that moment.


    There was no sign of the cold and aloof demeanor he used to possess before me.


    ¡°Okay. Let¡¯s discuss our proposal.¡±


    I knew he had something up his sleeve, but I still had to proceed with the formalities, Harvo Energy


    Incorporated, Chris¡® secretpany, was no stranger to me as I had read up on their information.


    Although it was only formed two years ago, it had progressed well and showed a promising future.


    It seemed like Chris did not put all his effort entirely into Gildon Corporation, and the reason was


    obvious.


    Chanter 173


    After all, thatpany was given by his father. No matter what, half of it would belong to Conrad.


    2/2


    Chris cooperated well, agreeing to all of my conditions without hesitation. However, it was precisely


    that smooth sailing process that rendered me uneasy. There was no way he only came here for a


    peaceful coboration.


    After our discussion, he was set to sign the document. Expectedly, he led me to the side and said,


    Maddie, there¡¯s no future for you here as a department head at this smallpany.¡±


    I stayed silent. I pursed my lips and looked at him.


    ¡°As long as you behave, I¡¯ll let you be a boss. Harvo will be yours.¡± Chris sounded generous.


    ¡°So, you¡¯re here for poaching and not for a coboration, Mr. Gildon,¡± I mocked.


    ¡°I just want you back, Maddie.¡± He was vulnerable, which was rare.


    I stared at his thin lips. They said, the thinner a man¡¯s lips were, the more heartless he was. I


    agreed with that. ¡°I didn¡¯t want to bring it up again, but you should know by now that we¡¯ll never get


    back together, Chris,¡± I restated my stance.


    Chris¡® face looked grim. ¡°Look, I¡¯ve done my best for you. What else do you want?¡±


    ¡°I want you¡­ to move on. Let¡¯s put this to an end now My words made it hard for Chris to maintain


    his smile.


    Before he could say anything, Xander came to my side and nodded at Chris. Then, Xander looked


    at me. Ms. Crown, our boss just notified me that he has objected to this coboration.¡±


    Spin to im Your Surprise Reward!

 Redmption 174

    Redmption 174


    Chap 174


    Although our boss seemed mysterious and rarely appeared on any asion, he seemed to know


    what was happening within thepany.


    Chris diverted his anger for me toward Xander. ¡°Objected? Are you aware of who you¡¯re dealing


    with? Do you know who I am?¡±


    At that moment, Chris resembled a cocky tycoon. He exuded the typical alpha male energy.


    While holding a cup in his hand, Xander radiated an air of indifference that only an elderly person


    could possess. He faked a smile and answered, ¡°It¡¯s precisely because our boss knows who you


    are that he decided to call off the coboration.¡± His response was concise yet deadly.


    An angered Chris roared, ¡°Who¡¯s your boss? Does he not want to survive in Hilcord anymore?¡±


    ¡°Yup, my boss said that even if ites to that, he doesn¡¯t want to work with you.¡± It seemed like


    Xander could do both praises and insults well.


    At that point, Chris was visibly furious. ¡°Fine! This is a warning for what¡¯s about toe. And ry


    that message to your boss.¡±


    ¡°Okay, and my boss has informed me to tell you toe at us!¡± Xander¡¯s response was undeniably


    triggering.


    Seeing that Chris¡® veins had popped up on his temple, feared he would actually punch Xander¡¯s


    grinning face. Nevertheless, Chris kept his cool and looked at me after ring at Xander.


    ¡°Madeline, I know you¡¯re kind and hate troubling others. If youe with me today, I¡¯ll make sure


    nothing happens to you. But if you don¡¯t, don¡¯t me me for the consequences thispany is


    about to suffer.


    After his relentless attempts, Chris had resorted to threatening me. Although I grew up with the


    Gildons, I inherited my parents¡® resilience. Had I been someone easily threatened by him, our


    rtionship wouldn¡¯t have evolved to this stage.


    ¡°If you¡¯re gonna do that, Chris, consider thest shred of our bond gone.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t even want me anymore. What fucking bond are you talking about?¡± he cursed.


    I did not want to argue with him there, nor did I want my coworkers to have a field day with this


    drama. Thus, I ordered him to leave. ¡°You may leave now, Mr. Gildon.¡±


    Chris raised his hand for a while, as though he wanted to strangle me to death or drag me away by


    my


    neck.


    At the right time, Xander spoke, ¡°If you¡¯re not seeing your client out, pleasee to my office for a


    chat,


    Ms. Crown.¡±


    That was nice. I, too, wanted to have a chat with him.


    With that left with Xander and did not bother with the furious Chris.


    ¡°Mr. Roulder, who exactly is our boss? How did he know about all this?¡± I got straight to the point


    upon entering Xander¡¯s office.


    Not only was our boss mysterious, but he even defended me by rejecting the coboration because


    of Chris¡® identity. That alone was enough to pique my curiosity.


    ¡°I told him about it. How else would he know about anything? He¡¯s not a god.¡± Xander had never


    really


    been serious with me.


    2/02


    ¡°Then, why did he object to this coboration? Does he know Chris?¡± I probed further.


    Xander sat there and ground the beans. His fingers, which were as pale as snow, formed a


    pleasing. juxtaposition to the dark coffee machine.


    ¡°Maybe, I guess. I¡¯m not so sure myself.¡± He shed me a smile.


    Although this man looked masculine, his smile was unexpectedly gentle and feminine.


    Pursing my lips, I scanned Xander¡¯s office but found no traces of him and the boss¡® interaction.


    Hence, I took a deep breath quietly and asked again, ¡°Mr. Roulder, when will our boss visit the


    company?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ I can¡¯t say for sure. Perhaps the end of the year. Anyway, he¡¯s not that concerned about the


    company¡¯s matters.¡±


    Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    His response rendered me speechless. Why would someone who was supposedly unconcerned


    interfere with my business dealings? Iughed mockingly. ¡°You¡¯re saying our boss is just a


    figurehead then?¡±


    ¡°Well, you can say so.¡± Xander nodded in agreement before adding, ¡°Of course, he exercises his


    privilege at times. Just like today.¡±

 Redmption 175

    Redmption 175


    ¡°Do you have the boss¡® information, Mr. Roulder?¡± I needed to know his name if I couldn¡¯t meet


    him.


    Xander nced at me. ¡°Are you interested in our boss?


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    ¡°Yes. He¡¯s so mysterious. I can¡¯t help but be curious,¡± I replied honestly


    Having ground the coffee beanspletely, he smelled the aroma andmented, ¡°Delightful.¡±


    Then, he looked at me again. ¡°Let me make you a cup of coffee


    ¡°No, thank you.¡± My curiosity for this mysterious boss had overtaken my ability to enjoy any coffee.


    Xander¨Cshowed me the freshly ground coffee. ¡®Gifted by our boss. You sure you don¡¯t want a try?¡±


    ¡°Rather than trying his coffee, I¡¯d like to meet him more often, I expressed frankly.


    Xander merelyughed at my words and said nothing else. I was confused by his strange


    response.¡±


    ¡°What are youughing at, Mr. Roulder? Am I asking for too much? Or is there something I should


    know?¡±


    He shook his head. ¡°No, it¡¯s not too much. I¡¯m just amused by how irresistible our boss is. You¡¯ve


    never met him, yet you¡¯re dying to see him. He¡¯s kinda dangerous, don¡¯t you think?¡±


    I didn¡¯t know what to say, but I knew Xander was trying to make meugh. As he put the cup of


    coffee before me, I suggested, ¡°If that¡¯s what you¡¯re worried about, Mr. Roulder, why not just show


    me his resume? I want to know about him.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t.¡±


    I anticipated his rejection and sneered. ¡°And the reason being?¡±


    Xander disyed a look of helplessness. ¡°He doesn¡¯t allow that.¡±


    ¡°Why not?¡± I felt like Xander was going around in circles.


    ¡°He doesn¡¯t want women having ulterior motives about him


    The aroma of the coffee reached my nose. With my refined sense of smell for expensive coffee,


    cultivated thanks to the Gildobs, I knew this coffee before me was the finest of all. I guessed our


    boss was no ordinary man.


    ¡°Let me tell you, Ms. Crown. Our boss is a maic man. Sure, thedies fawn over him, but even i


    do too


    sometimes.¡± Xander showed no hint of embarrassment in expressing that.


    After talking in circles, I realized Xander would not let me meet the boss. As much as I was curious


    about this man, I didn¡¯t press on further because it would be futile anyway. Not to mention, Xander


    would assume I was trying to be opportunistic.


    ¡°Please take a sip of this coffee, Ms. Crown. I guarantee you this will be your favorite coffee from


    now on.


    Xander strongly rmended it.


    I smiled faintly. ¡°If that¡¯s the case, I¡¯d rather not. I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t afford it to be my favorite coffee,¡± I


    said


    as I rose and walked to the door.


    ¡°Are you sure, Ms. Crown? Not everyone gets to taste such refined coffee. You better not regret it!¡±


    he


    continued behind me.


    Leaving Xander¡¯s office, I heaved a breath of frustration. Not only was Chris infuriating, but so was


    Xander! This man might look harmless, but he could easily get under my skin.


    After returning to my office, I tried to ask around about our boss. However, most of them said they


    had


    Chopper 175


    only met Xander since they joined thepany. The existence of another higher¨Cup was news to


    them, let alone meeting him.


    Could this mysterious boss be fictional? Was Xander ying me for a fool?


    As I pondered about it, I received Kara¡¯s call. She sounded panicky, almost bursting into tears.


    ¡°Maddie, help! Something¡¯s wrong!¡±

 Redmption 176

    Redmption 176


    That was rming.


    Kara¡¯s words immediately frightened me to the core. What happened? Slow down. Tell me the


    details.¡±


    ¡°A group of scary punks came to the amusement park poking for Mr. Howell.¡±


    When I heard that, I rxed a little and was relieved it wasn¡¯t any major incident. Rather, it was just


    a group of men looking for trouble with Brandon.


    As much as Kara was terrified by the scary men she mentioned, I was not worried because I knew


    Brandon could handle it. I didn¡¯tprehend this strange faith I had in him, but I knew no one could


    harm him.


    ¡°Did they get physical?¡± I asked.


    ¡°No. They haven¡¯t found Mr. Howell. They¡¯re asking around, so they¡¯ll be here soon.¡± Kara¡¯s voice


    trembled. ¡°Maddie, what should we do? Should we call the cops?


    I contemted briefly. ¡°First, look for Brandon and understand the situation. We¡¯ll let him decide


    whether to call the cops.¡± I wasn¡¯t sure why those men were looking for him, so I¡¯d let him decide.


    ¡°Got it.¡± Kara asked, ¡°Maddie, will you being here?!


    I didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°Of course.¡±


    How could I do nothing knowing Brandon might be in trouble? Furthermore, I was afraid this


    incident had something to do with Chris. After all, he had just left with a warning against Hueton


    Corporation. If anything, Brandon would be involved.


    After ending the call, I took my bag and phoned Chris as I walked along the office. When I passed


    by Xander¡¯s office, he happened toe out and saw me with my bag. He asked immediately,


    ¡°Where are you heading?¡±


    Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    Since I was waiting for Chris to pick up the phone, I did not respond to Xander. ¡°I¡¯m talking to you,


    Ms. Crown. Where are you headed Xander questioned again.


    I was about to answer him when Chris got onto the line ¡°What¡¯s up? Have you changed your


    mind?¡±


    ¡®Did you send your men to the amusement park?¡± I interrogated him.


    He huffed. ¡°What are you talking about? What men?¡±


    His response stunned me. Other than his deed in Jewel¡¯s incident, he had never been one to hide


    from his actions. If he had intended to use Brandon to make me return to his side, he would have


    openly admitted.


    1. it.


    Therefore, this incident had nothing to do with him.


    Who were the ones looking for Brandon then?


    ¡°You better not lie to me, Chris. And stay away from Brandon.¡± I ended the call following that


    Chris called me again within seconds, but I didn¡¯t answer.


    When I arrived at the amusement park, I saw Brandon surrounded by a few burly, scary men¨Cas


    described by Kara.


    She tugged on my sleeve. ¡°Maddie, Mr. Howell said not to call the cops. I¡¯m so worried, though.


    Maybe we should dial 911 now?¡±


    Ignoring her, I approached the men and heard them saying to Brandon, ¡°If you wanna live, stay in


    yourne in the future. You should know better not to cross the line.¡±


    Nevertheless, Brandon¡¯s face showed no fear. ¡°I see. Someone¡¯s guilty. Is that why you guys are


    here to threaten me?¡±


    ¡°Save that arrogance and worry about yourself.¡± The leader of the pack was a bald man. His head


    reflected the afternoon sunlight so well that it could kill a fly in passing.


    ¡°I¡¯m not one to act without considering the consequences. Want me to stop? You better do it


    yourself because I¡¯m not afraid of you. Come right at me.¡± Brandon¡¯s dominance sent shivers down


    my spine.

 Redmption 177

    Redmption 177


    Brandon¡¯sst words somehow sounded familiar because Xander had said it earlier today. No,


    wait¨Cit was the boss¡® message. I couldn¡¯t help but look at Brandon again. With my understanding of


    him, I knew he couldn¡¯t possibly be the boss.


    ¡°Cocky, huh?¡± The leading bald man scoffed. ¡°Let¡¯s see how much you can take!¡± He cracked his


    neck and eximed, ¡°Destroy the ce!¡±


    Immediately, the group behind the bald man started smashing things. Brandon, however, stayed


    unmoving. I understood why he was doing that.


    He wasn¡¯t afraid; he knew that if these people started destroying the property here, it was


    equivalent to messing with Chris. That changed the whole narrative


    At that moment, the security of the amusement park dashed toward them. The guards could ignore


    the fight between the burly men and Brandon, but destroying property within their vicinity was where


    they crossed the line. The security¡¯s job was to protect the amusement park.


    Although the troublemakers were tough, they were easily outnumbered by the guards. In no time,


    the security had stopped them. Naturally, that was not the end of things. These punks hade


    prepared.


    The leading man suddenly grabbed the head of one of the guards, ced a knife against his neck,


    and threatened angrily. ¡°Get your fucking hands away from us, or I¡¯ll sh his throat right here!¡±


    Stunned by the scene, I immediately signaled the security guards to release the punks.


    The guards did ordingly, but the bald man did not release the man he held hostage. Instead, he


    nced at Brandon. ¡°I know you¡¯re a stubborn one, but I fancy myself a challenge. If you want this


    man alive, kneel and apologize to me. Otherwise, prepare for a bloodbath.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t do that!¡± I couldn¡¯t help but voice out.


    The bald man diverted his attention to me. ¡°Hey, pretty chick. I see you¡¯re soft¨Chearted. Why don¡¯t


    youe to me, and I promise not to hurt you and him?¡±


    There was no way to negotiat my way out when faced with thugs. While holding the guard hostage,


    he started inching toward me. Even if I stayed put, he would still capture me regardless.


    As such, I concocted a n. As soon as he neared me, I would strike!


    Before I could execute my n, Brandon appeared beside me and sent a flying kick toward that


    man. Wailing in pain, the bald man fell on his back.


    He fell to the floor heavily. When his headnded on the ground, it bounced back up twice. He was


    fleshy, and that made him surprisingly bouncy!


    Meanwhile, the other punks were startled by the turn of events. They called out to their boss,


    ¡°Tank!¡± before gathering around him.


    Tank was definitely doing the tanking.


    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    Faced with their defeated leader, the other punks were ready to attack Brandon. Before they could


    do anything: Brandon exerted his dominance and shouted, ¡°Scram!¡±


    The punks froze at his word. Momentster, they scrambled to pick up their beat¨Cup leader and


    flee.


    ncing at the destroyed park, I walked over to Brandon and asked, ¡°What exactly happened?¡±


    ¡°They tried to stop me from investigating my father¡¯s car ident case. He was honest.


    2/2


    I was taken aback. After today, it could only mean that his father¡¯s car ident was indeed


    suspicious


    Naturally, I asked, ¡°What have you found out so far?¡±


    Brandon stayed silent. Considering how I had been avoiding himtely, the question felt out of line.


    I


    smiled awkwardly and said, ¡°You know what? I shouldnt¡­¡±


    Before I could finish my words, someone called out, ¡°Mr. Gildon.¡±

 Redmption 178

    Redmption 178


    ¡°What happened?¡± Chris¡® cold and authoritative voice sounded.


    It didn¡¯t sound like he was here to y coy with me. It was a total transformation from earlier.


    Despite being shaken to his core, the head of security swiftly made his way to report the situation.


    After listening to the story, Chris¡® gazended on Brandon. ¡°So, is this all caused by your private


    matters, Mr. Howell?¡± I knew Chris was about to make things hard for Brandon.


    Seeing that Brandon did not respond, Chris revealed a mocking smile. ¡°Well, Mr. Howell?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Brandon admitted.


    Chris picked up the broken pieces on the ground and asked, ¡°How do you think we should resolve


    this, Mr. Howell?¡±


    ¡°How do you want to resolve this, Mr. Gildon?¡± Brandon did not catch Chris¡® meaning.


    I stayed silent, knowing whatever I said would only worsen things. If it weren¡¯t for me, Chris wouldn¡¯t


    make this trivial matter a bigger deal. Had I not been in the picture, he would even defend Brandon,


    given his personality.


    After all, the punks were tantly causing havoc within Gildon Corporation¡¯s property. It would have


    meant an open provocation toward Chris if they stepped out of line today.


    Discarding the broken pieces, Chris dusted off the dirt in his hand. ¡°Since you have private matters


    to resolve, I believe you should prioritize that. As for your work, let Mr. Conrad take over.¡±


    At that, I was taken aback by his instruction¨CChris wanted to fire Brandon!


    Now that the lighting work was in its final stage, there was nothing much around to do. In other


    words, it wouldn¡¯t pose an effect even if Brandon was not participating in the project. That was


    equivalent to an overkill!


    Suddenly, my suspicion that Chris was the mastermind behind those punks earlier resurfaced. It


    conveniently gave him a reason to fire Brandon.


    ¡°I¡¯m not your employee, Mr. Gildon, so you have no right to determine my employment status.¡±


    Brandon stood his ground.


    chone while


    Chrisughed mockingly. ¡°Is that so? Why don¡¯t we see if that¡¯s true?¡± He fished out his phone


    saying that. I knew he was about to call Brandon¡¯s supervisor.


    I stepped forward. ¡®Mr. Gildon, don¡¯t you think we should look into this matter more before we rush


    to a decision? Plus.. I paused briefly, then continued, ¡°Although the lighting work is in its final stage,


    which can bepleted without Brandon, the finishing product may not be as expected. Don¡¯t you


    think so?¡± Coincidentally, Conrad arrived at the scene just as I finished speaking. He looked like he


    had heard about the incident and came in a hurry.


    He looked at me first, so I took the chance to ask, ¡°Mr. Conrad, Mr. Chris wants to fire Mr. Howell,


    leaving the post¨Cadjustments to your supervision. Do you think you can handle it?¡±


    I deliberately put him on the spot, knowing for a fact that he would be on my side. Frankly, that was


    rather selfish of me.


    Conrad nced at me and quickly understood my intention. Then, he looked at Chris. ¡°The final


    Instation still requires aprehensive inspection It¡¯s best if Mr. Howell can stay till the end of


    the


    Chapter 170.


    project.¡±


    Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    2/2


    Instantly, Chris¡® expression turned grim. He looked at Conrad with fury, baffled as to why his brother


    was not on his side.


    Still, Chris had made up his mind and did not n to give in. He shot his brother a cold re and


    ordered. in an authoritative tone, ¡°If you insist on him staying, I¡¯m afraid the amusement park will be


    shredded to pieces before your final inspection, Mr. Conrad.¡±

 Redmption 179

    Redmption 179


    1/2


    Conrad knew the gist of things. He nced at Brandon and defended him. ¡°I¡¯m sure Mr. Howell will


    resolve the issue and keep his private matters out of work. The security is also at fault for not


    guarding against the trespassers. This isn¡¯t entirely Mr. Howell¡¯s fault.¡±


    Red with anger, Chris did not anticipate Conrad to be so brazenly defensive of Brandon. He had


    embarrassed him.


    ¡°Since the amusement park is under my management now, you can leave the rest to me, Mr. Chris.¡±


    Conrad implied that Chris had overstepped his authority.


    At that point, Chris was fuming. Had it been someone other than this brother saying that, they would


    have been kicked out long ago.


    ¡°Fine. If something simr happens again, you¡¯ll suffer the consequences too.¡± The livid Chris left


    with this remark.


    Seeing him depart, I finally rxed.


    Then, Conrad told Brandon, ¡°I want a written report regarding today¡¯s incident. As for the affected


    facilities, I¡¯ll contact the technicians to fix them, while you or yourpany will bear the cost.¡± His


    solution was well¨Cjustified and fair.


    Being a responsible person, Brandon epted the condition.


    With that, Conrad merely nodded and left without looking at me. I knew he wouldn¡¯t have defended


    Brandon if it weren¡¯t for me. His feelings for me were open yet restrained, and he opposed his


    brother for my sake. What Conrad did for me only made me feel remorseful, like I could not repay


    him enough.


    Since the issue was over, I decided to leave after ncing at Brandon. My car was just about to exit


    from the amusement park premises when Chris¡® vehicle came to block me. He alighted from his car


    and entered into my passenger seat. ¡°Drive.¡±


    I had no clue what he wanted. ¡°Please be quick and forward, Mr. Gildon. I need to go to work.¡±


    ¡°I said, drive!¡± He was so angry that he grabbed at his cor,


    I knew opposing him would do me no good, considering his livid state. Thus, I grabbed my steering


    wheel and asked, ¡°Where to, Mr. Gildon?¡±


    Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    ¡°I told you to start driving!¡± Chris roared again.


    Knowing whatever I said next would be useless, I stepped on the gas pedal and drove away. Even


    without a destination, I knew to send him back to the Gildon estate.


    Chris noticed something amiss. ¡°I didn¡¯t tell you to drive me home.¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t tell me not to,¡± I argued back.


    ¡°What do you want from me, Madeline? You saw it yourself earlier. Brandon isn¡¯t a good guy. He


    managed to get into trouble with those punks, who¨Cmind you¨Chad no issue destroying Gildon


    Corporation¡¯s property!


    ¡°That shows how strong their backing is. Who knows what else they¡¯ll do to you?¡± It was rare for


    Chris to say so much at once.


    I understood that he wanted me to stay away from Brandon, or those troublemakers woulde for


    me.


    ¡°Did you forget? There was once a girl who liked you so much that she locked me in the morgue


    just to


    1/2


    scare me away. She threatened that if I didn¡¯t leave you alone, she¡¯d leave me there to die. But I


    stood by you, even after I escaped. I remained as your girlfriend. My words made Chris


    ufortable.


    ¡°I¡¯m not one to bow down to threats; I¡¯m not one to run when something bad happens either,¡± I


    enunciated as I looked at Chris.


    ¡°Don¡¯t get so cocky, Madeline!¡± He removed his necktie and wrapped it in his palm.


    ¡°I¡¯m done with you, Chris. You don¡¯t have to care if I¡¯m abducted, dead, or alive. You have someone


    else


    to worry about.¡± I had just finished speaking when a text notification rang out.


    My phone was connected to the car, and the dashboard monitor shed. It disyed a text


    message


    from Jewel. ¡°I¡¯ll be waiting for you here, Madeline.¡±


    ched below the text was a link to her location.

 Redmption 180

    Redmption 180


    Waiting for me? And? Did she think I would see her because of that? Who did she think she was?


    I ignored her without hesitation, but Chris, who was staring at me, did not notice the message on


    the


    screen.


    ¡°Madeline, do you seriously not want me anymore?¡± Chris asked with reddened eyes.


    I hated repeating myself, so I questioned him, ¡°What can I do to make you believe that I¡¯m serious?


    Marry Brandon?¡±


    To make him get over me, I had even kissed Brandon. Yet, it was futile because he thought I was


    just getting back at him.


    ¡°Madeline!¡± he said my name through gritted teeth. It was his way of disying anger. I used to fear


    that, but I felt nothing now.


    Was this how it felt like to stop caring about someone?


    I lowered my gaze before looking him in the eyes, ¡°Chris, we¡¯re truly over. So over that even if


    you¡¯re thest man left standing on earth, I still won¡¯t choose you!


    I was truly fed up with his relentless entanglement, despite knowing how cruel and humiliating


    those, words sounded.


    His expression contorted, and he couldn¡¯t get a word out. Instead, he simply stared at me for a long,


    long


    time¡­


    Although I did not meet his eyes, I could feel the shift of emotions in his gaze¨Canger, resentment,


    frustration, and despair. ¡°Don¡¯t regret this, Madeline,¡± he murmured.


    My fingers tightened around the steering wheel. ¡°Yeah, I won¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°What if something bad happens to me? Or an ident? Will you regret it?¡± he asked suddenly.


    Confused, I looked at him only to see his reddened eyes. ¡°Madeline, I know I¡¯ve made a mistake


    and that


    I¡¯ve mistreated you. I know that now. I¡¯ve tried millions of ways to beg for your forgiveness


    He shook his head lightly. His eyes were red and wet. ¡°Must I beg you on my knees?¡±


    I knew at that very moment that he was remorseful. I could feel it.


    but you never¡­


    In fact, I¡¯d known that for a long time. Otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t have done so many things that were


    out of


    character.


    ¡°I don¡¯t need you to do anything, Chris, because no matter what you do, it¡¯s over, Lexpressed my


    thoughts calmly.


    ¡°Huh.¡± He scoffed. ¡°How cold and cruel. It¡¯s like you¡¯ve sentenced our rtionship to death.¡±


    I didn¡¯t respond, for that was exactly what I had done.


    ¡°Alright.¡± Chris nodded. He retracted his gaze and turned away.


    I was sure I saw him wiping the corners of his eyes. Was he¡­ crying? My heart couldn¡¯t help but


    twist a


    little.


    ¡°Stop the car!¡±manded Chris.


    I stepped on the brake pedal and brought the car to a stop. Then, he got out of the car and never


    looked back.


    27


    As I sat in the car and watched, Chris removed his suit jacket and held it in his hand. He kicked the


    air a couple of times, releasing his frustration, and slowly walked into the distance. At that moment,


    I knew. Chris and I werepletely over.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Meanwhile, Jewel became uneasy, seeing that I did not show up or respond to her text. Hence, she


    called


    1. me.


    I couldn¡¯t bother to pick up the phone while I was still dealing with my emotions and immediately


    declined her call. Then, she sent me another message. ¡°Hey, Madeline. I just want to talk to you


    about something. I mean no harm. I¡¯ll still be here waiting for you.¡±


    Herst line was obviously trying to pressure and threaten me, but I paid no heed to it. She could


    wait all day for all I cared.


    Spin to im Your Surprise Reward!

 Redmption 181

    Redmption 181


    Chaud 181


    I looked for Lisa, who was coincidentally at home. ¡°Hey, you called mete at night the other day.


    What happened? I was exhausted from the operation, so I didn¡¯t call you back. Were you sick?¡± she


    recalled upon seeing me.


    Kicking off my shoes, I entered her house. ¡°If I were sick, Liz, I would¡¯ve been defeated by now.¡±


    Lisa wrapped her arm around my shoulders. ¡°What¡¯s up? Are you mad at something?¡±


    ¡°Nothing. You¡¯re busy, and I don¡¯t wanna bother you with my trivial matters.¡± I did not mention


    Brandon falling sick.


    She did not believe me. ¡°You called me after midnight. Surely, it¡¯s nothing trivial.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s Brandon.¡± I gave in atst, not wanting Lisa to worry excessively about me.


    Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    Lisa gave me half of her freshly blended watermelon juice. ¡°That boy is getting good. Don¡¯t mess


    this up, or you¡¯ll regret it your whole life, Maddie.¡±


    However, my mind was still troubled about Chris. I took a sip of the juice. ¡°Chris and I are


    completely


    done.¡±


    She was confused. ¡°Isn¡¯t that old news?¡±


    I gazed into the distance. ¡°It¡¯s official this time.¡±


    Seemingly seen through my emotions, Lisa clinked sses with me. ¡°Congrats!¡±


    Her response amused me. ¡°Hey, at least Chris was good to you.¡±


    ¡°And? He wasn¡¯t good to you.¡± Lisa was truly my devoted friend. ¡°Enough of him. Let¡¯s enjoy our


    juice and eat outter!¡± She clinked sses with me again.


    ¡°I don¡¯t wanna. I¡¯m not feeling it.¡± I rejected her offer.


    She ignored my refusal and even dragged me along. After our meal, let¡¯s hit the bar and check out


    hot


    men.¡±


    Outside of Lisa¡¯s doctor persona, she was no different than a city girl. Indeed, one could not judge a


    book


    by its cover.


    There was a new restaurant in town, and Lisa wanted to treat me to their foie gras. Coincidentally,


    this restaurant was right beside the cafe where Jewel was waiting for me.


    While still in the car, I could see her lonely figure sitting in the cafe through the window. She stared


    into the distance, as though she was in a daze. Frankly, she looked¡­ pitiful.


    Two hours had passed since shest texted and called me. It seemed like she was serious about


    waiting for me.


    I recalled from herst message that she had something to tell me, and so it piqued my interest.


    More Importantly, I wouldn¡¯t be able to enjoy my foie gras if she sat there and waited for me the


    whole night. Thus, I headed straight to the cafe and signaled to Lisa ¡®I¡¯ll go talk to her. Go ahead


    and order without me.


    ¡°Alright.¡± Lisa did not stop me. She knew Jewel was pregnant, and her motto was to never involve


    an Innocent child in an adult¡¯s mistake.


    As I sat across Jewel, she was taken aback by my presence. I guessed she didn¡¯t anticipate my


    arrival.


    2/2


    ¡°I thought you¡¯d nevere,¡± she spoke sarcastically.


    ¡°I¡¯m here for your baby¡¯s sake.¡± I was straightforward.


    Jewel smiled wryly. ¡°Sure. What would you like? Coffee or¡­¡±


    ¡°That¡¯d be unnecessary. Just spill. I have a dinner to attend.¡± I rejected her.


    Her face turned uneasy at my words. Although she tried to appear gentle and warm, her forced


    smile ultimately betrayed her facade.


    ¡°Go on, Ms. Massey. What¡¯s it about? Is it about Chris?¡± continued to be upfront.


    Lowering her head, Jewel looked at her belly before gazing at me. ¡°Madeline, do you think Chris¡®


    parents adore kids?¡±


    I was startled. Just as I was pondering about it, she added, ¡°Do you think they¡¯ll ept my baby?¡±

 Redmption 182

    Redmption 182


    C


    Was she nning to marry Chris? That would be the only exnation to that question.


    But Chris tried to win me back just two hours ago! Suddenly, I recalled his question, ¡°What if


    something bad or an ident happens to me? Will you regret it?¡±


    Was this how he nned to make me regret my decision? If that was the case, he had be


    hopeless and utterly foolish.


    I acted dumb and looked at Jewel. ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°I want to be with Chris and marry him.¡± She looked at me while uttering those words.


    I smiled faintly. ¡°Really? Congrattions, then.¡±


    ¡°But I¡¯m worried his parents won¡¯t ept my baby.¡± Jewel looked conflicted.


    My fingers tapped lightly on the table, and I did not respond to her. After all, it had nothing to do with


    me. There was nothing I could say.


    ¡°Madeline,¡± she suddenly called me in a serious tone. ¡°I know your ce within the Gildon family,


    and I understand Mr. and Mrs. Gildon treat you like their daughter. Which is why¡­¡± She paused


    briefly. ¡°I need your help.¡±


    knew what she needed my help with, despite her not spelling it out. Without her further exnation


    unhesitantly rejected her request. ¡°No.¡±


    Jewel¡¯s expression contorted. ¡°Why not? Is it because you¡¯re mad I came between you and Chris?¡±


    It seemed like she wasn¡¯t that shameless. I didn¡¯t deny it. ¡°Kinda.¡±


    Undeniably, Jewel was the catalyst for my shattered rtionship with Chris, even if she wasn¡¯t the


    root of the problem. It was only human of me to feel resentment toward her. Still, I had to thank her


    for showing me Chris¡® true colors before I fell deeper into the hole.


    ¡°Do you genuinely believe it¡¯s my fault?¡± Jewel questioned with a mocking tone. ¡°Even without me,


    you and Chris were bound to break up, Madeline.¡± She spoke as if she knew the ins and outs of my


    rtionship.


    I let out a chuckle and acted clueless. ¡°Really?¡±


    Jewel stared at me and continued her theory. ¡°Despite being together for ten years, you and Chris


    share a familial bond, not love. The reason why you guys dated is only because his parents wanted


    it. You two were only fulfilling their wishes.¡±


    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    She wasn¡¯t entirely wrong. I¡¯d pondered abou


    this too.


    I reflected on why Chris would cheat on me with the then¨Cmarried Jewel, or why I never felt an


    ounce of pain when I left him. I concluded that we had never loved each other enough. We knew


    each other so well that there was no spark in our love, let alone passion.


    ¡°If he had truly fallen in love with you and not loved you because of familiarity, he wouldn¡¯t have


    cheated on you


    with me. I was the spark he was after.¡± Jewel¡¯s words were harsh.


    I looked at her with a faint smile on my face. ¡°Is this how you justify yourself as the homewrecker?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± she denied, ¡°I was never the homewrecker. I didn¡¯t start it; it was Chris who came after me.¡±


    I didn¡¯t know who started the affair, but I understood why she imed to be innocent in this matter.


    ¡°So,


    you think just because you didn¡¯t destroy my rtionship with Chris you deserve my help?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m pleading for your help.¡± Jewel suddenly sounded humble.


    Pouting, I nced at Jewel and examined her delicate, charming figure. Sure, she was a beauty,


    but Bree did not prefer this type of girl. Bree¡¯s character was straightforward, and she exuded a


    great air of elegance.

 Redmption 183

    Redmption 183


    1/2


    Instead, Bree preferred girls who were straightforward and kind. ording to her, petite girls


    usually were petty andcked generosity. Although it wasn¡¯t right to judge a book by its cover, Bree


    was not too far off In this case; she¡¯d umted a lot of life experiences, and her words carried


    wisdom.


    ¡°I can¡¯t help you.¡± I was direct.


    ¡°Why?¡± Jewel showed panic.


    I pursed my lips lightly. ¡°Bree is very opinionated and not easily swayed by just anyone.¡±


    ¡°But she loves you. I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll listen to you to some extent.¡± Jewel lowered her eyelids as she


    spoke. She looked pitiful. ¡°You know my situation. I don¡¯t know how I¡¯d live without Chris.¡±


    It was funny how I didn¡¯t see her react this way when she lost her husband. Now, she couldn¡¯t live


    without Chris?


    ¡°I¡¯m d you know she loves me; that should be enough to know that she¡¯ll never ept you.¡±


    Because she wanted nobody else but me to be her daughter¨Cinw, duh.


    Jewel was at a loss for words.


    ¡°You should fight for the happiness you desire and not rely on others, Ms. Massey.¡± I rose to my feet


    after


    that.


    She murmured, ¡°Will his family ept me if the baby isn¡¯t in the picture?¡±


    Hearing that, I furrowed my brows. Wasn¡¯t I clear enough earlier?


    I had no intention of continuing the discussion, so I left


    When Lisa heard my recount on Jewel¡¯s request, she shook her head andughed. ¡°She¡¯s so


    shameless.


    I pouted, ¡°Dating Chris might be possible, but marrying into the Gildon family definitely isn¡¯t.¡±


    I knew Zack and Bree well. The former cared a lot about his reputation, so Chris could settle with an


    ordinary girl as long as she had a clean record. Thetter, on the other hand, would undoubtedly


    forbid her son to be a stepdad.


    ¡°She ran out of ideas, so she went to you. You didn¡¯t promise her anything, did you?¡± asked Lisa.


    I clinked with her wine ss. ¡°Do you think I¡¯m dumb?¡±


    Lisa chuckled and shook her head. ¡°Chris has always seemed fine to me. I wonder what happened


    to himtely.¡±


    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    ¡°I know it¡¯s none of my business anymore. Enough of him. He¡¯s a killjoy I downed the wine ss.


    The red liquid¨Crich and sweet, yet slightly bitter¨Cslowly seeped into my system¡­ Although my


    alcohol tolerance was good, a few sses of red wine were enough to get me tipsy,


    Atst, Lisa helped me out of the restaurant. She wanted to send me back to her ce, to which i


    rejected. ¡°I wanna go back to my ce,¡± I mumbled.


    Lisa nced at me. ¡°What are you up to? nning to knock on Brandon¡¯s door?¡±


    I nodded with a smile. ¡°Yeah. But I¡¯m not sure if he¡¯s there tonight.¡±


    When Lisa sent me home, I saw that Brandon¡¯s door was shut. Thus, I went over and mmed my


    hands


    on it. ¡°Open up, Brandon. Don¡¯t try to hide from me. I know you¡¯re in there.¡±


    2/2


    ¡°I don¡¯t think he¡¯s back,¡± Lisa remarked after we received no response.


    ¡°He is. He¡¯s just avoiding me. All I did was kiss him without asking! I can¡¯t believe he¡¯s actually


    bothered by it,¡± Iined to her.


    Lisa¡¯s eyes brightened at the revtion. ¡°You guys kissed? And you initiated it? Maddie, did you do


    it with him?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t. It was just a kiss. If we¡¯d really gone that far and he acted this way, I would¡¯ve been


    furious.¡± I shook my head as I stated, ¡°I can¡¯t deal with this man. He¡¯s way too serious.¡±


    She was shocked. ¡°Maddie, are you actually into Brandon?¡±


    ¡°I am.¡± I burped. As though the alcohol had boosted my courage, I rambled, ¡°You know, Liz? I really


    wanna strip his shirt and look at his chest muscles, then touch his abs and¡­¡±


    Before I could finish, the door was suddenly yanked open. Brandon looked squarely at me as he


    dried his


    wet hair.

 Redmption 184

    Redmption 184


    This was the second time he had caught me in an awkward moment!


    The first time was when I saw Brandon half¨Cnaked and wrapped only in a towel; this time, he


    overheard me thirsting over him.


    I couldn¡¯t help but suspect that he did this on purpose, because why did he only open the door now


    when I had knocked for so long?


    At that critical moment, the only way to get out of this awkwardness was to act drunk. That way, I


    could then conveniently say I had no recollection of it and save myself from embarrassment.


    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    ¡°Look, Liz. He¡¯s right here!¡± I acted like the previous conversation didn¡¯t happen and casually


    pointed at


    Brandon.


    Lisa smiled awkwardly and looked at him. ¡°She¡¯s drunk


    ¡°I¡¯m not drunk!¡± I coboratively yed my part. In history, no drunks would ever admit they were


    drunk.


    However, Lisa pinched me in the waist. ¡°Oh, right. You¡¯ve only had one ss of wine. How drunk


    can you


    be?¡±


    At a loss for words, I witnessed my trustworthy best friend betraying me in real time. Of course, who


    else but my best friend would know the best moment to set me up?


    I struggled to look Brandon in the eyes, yet he stared at me. ¡°What did you need me for?¡±


    I


    ¡°N¨CNothing,¡± I stuttered as I turned around to lead Lisa into my house.


    ¡°I¡¯m looking for you, though.¡± His voice rang out behind me.


    At that point, I wanted nothing more than to disappear mmediately. ¡°I¡¯m dizzy. Let¡¯s talk tomorrow.¡±


    Without giving him a chance to respond, I swiftly headed into my house.


    ¡°Haha, look at you.¡± Lisaughed at me as soon as the door closed.


    I red at her. My face was teise and flushed. Nheless, she continuedughing without feeling


    sorry. ¡°You can¡¯t even own up to your actions. Now that you¡¯re exposed, you should have no


    problem getting him in bed. By then, who cares about some Tom, Dick, or Harry?¡±


    Faced with Lisa¡¯s teasing, I frustratedly pushed her to the door. ¡°Go on. Leave. This marks thest


    day of our friendship¡­¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll have champagne the day you finally sleep with him, alright?¡± She genuinely wished Brandon


    and I would be together.


    After Lisa left, my face remained flushed from embarrassment. On top of that, I kept hearing


    movement from the opposite unit and was afraid Brandon woulde knocking on my door.


    The truth was, I wanted to see him today; I wanted to ask about the punks and his investigation of


    his father¡¯s case. But here I was¡­ too embarrassed to ask.


    Eventually, Iy on the couch and managed to fall asleep despite my unsettling emotions.


    That night, I slept on the couch and woke up around 5:00 am. I heard the door from opposite me


    closing, and I deduced Brandon either went for a jog or left.


    When I ran to my window, I saw him outside wearing a backpack and riding away on his bicycle.


    Did he cycle back and forth every day over such a long distance? That was the first time I¡¯d noticed


    this.


    Chap 104


    212


    Still, I breathed a sigh of relief that he had left. At least I wouldn¡¯t have to worry about bumping into


    him and bringing upst night¡¯s incident.


    At noon, I had just finished my work at the office and was ready to investigate our boss¡® identity


    when Lisa called. Recalling how she teased mest night, gritted my teeth and answered the call.


    ¡°Hey, Dr. Carline¡­¡±


    Before I could say more, Lisa interrupted me. ¡°Maddie, Jewel just came here for an abortion. What


    the heck happened?¡±


    My face twitched, and I instantly became alert. Then, I recalled the conversation we had at the cafe.


    ¡°Has she gone through with it?¡±

 Redmption 185

    Redmption 185


    ¡°Not yet. She¡¯s made an appointment. Let me check the timing of her slot.¡± After seconds, Lisa


    informed. me, ¡°11:00 am.¡±


    It was 10:00 am now. ¡°Did she mention why?¡± I asked Lisa.


    ¡°No, she just said she didn¡¯t want it anymore and signed the papers alone. Since the baby is more


    than three months old and has taken shape, she¡¯ll need an induced abortion,¡± Lisa exined.


    Although I¡¯d never been a mother, I felt uneasy hearing those words. ¡°Try to postpone it. I¡¯ll contact


    Chris


    now.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure you wanna get involved?¡± asked Lisa,


    I paused momentarily. ¡°She decided to have an abortion after meeting mest night. Who knows


    what Chris might think about me if I don¡¯t inform him? Plus. This baby wasn¡¯s only bloodline left in


    this world.


    I hung up the call with Lisa and phoned Chris, but he had yet to answer. I assumed he ignored my


    calls because of my rejection.


    Just as I contemted calling him with another number, he picked up the call with an icy tone.


    ¡°Hello?¡±


    ¡°Jewel is having an abortion at Lisa¡¯s hospital.¡± I went straight to the point. Whats


    Chris sounded shocked.


    ¡°The procedure is happening in an hour. Quick, you might be able to make it in time.¡± I hung up the


    phone thereafter.


    Despite informing Chris, I continued to feel unsettled about it and headed to the hospital. When I


    parked my car, I saw Chris rushing from the parking lot to the obstetrics and pediatrics department


    building. He was visibly anxious and scared.


    Simrly, I hopped out of my car and rushed in the same direction. However, Lisa stopped me


    before I could go to the consultation room. ¡°Has she changed her mind?¡± I asked her.


    Lisa didn¡¯t respond and merely pulled me to the side. There¡¯s tea. You should listen first.¡±


    When she dragged me near the emergency exit, I could hear an argument between Jewel and


    Chris.


    ¡°Why are you aborting the baby? That¡¯sn¡¯sst remaining bloodline. Who told you you could do


    that?¡± Chris roared.


    ¡°You should understand why I¡¯m doing this. I want to be with you¨Cthat¡¯s why, Jewel spoke bluntly,


    which was a stark contrast to her usual gentleness.


    Chris stayed silent, and she continued with a tone softer than earlier. ¡°Chris, I know your family will


    never ept my baby, and neither willn¡¯s parents. Since that¡¯s the case, what¡¯s the point of


    keeping it?¡±


    If yo


    you abort it, we¡¯ll lose thest shred ofn.¡± Chris¡® voice trembled.


    ¡°But I can¡¯t be with you if I have this baby. What should do?¡± Jewel asked softly.


    It was then I witnessed how selfish a human could be.


    ¡°Did you


    think we¡¯d be together regardless of whether you have this baby?¡± He shot her the question. The


    door to the emergency exit left open a gap, and I could see Jewel about to tug the hem of Chris¡®


    shirt. However, he avoided her. ¡°You know who I want, Jewel


    ¡°But you and Madeline¨Cwon¡¯t be together. It¡¯s impossible.¡± She sounded tearful.


    ¡°Yes, but the same goes for us. His words contorted her expression more.


    Her lips trembled. ¡°What do I do without you?¡±


    ¡°Like I said, Jewel, I¡¯llpensate you with everything you deserve. Except. Chris was then


    interrupted by Jewel.


    She shook her head, clearly in agony. ¡°What about a man? I need someone to care for me


    whenever I need him. Why don¡¯t youpensate me with a partner?¡±


    Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    Chris was frozen by her words and stayed silent.


    ¡°Remember, Chris. If you hadn¡¯t kissed me,n wouldn¡¯t have seen us. He wouldn¡¯t have gotten into


    an ident; I wouldn¡¯t have be a pregnant widow! It¡¯s you who¡¯s ruined my happiness. Give


    me back my joy!¡±


    Jewel¡¯s words stunned me.


    So, the truth was Chris causedn¡¯s death. That was the reason why he looked after Jewel.

 Redmption 186

    Redmption 186


    I no longer eavesdropped after that. This new revtion was enough to leave me stunned for days.


    Atst, all my suspicions had been answered. But I didn¡¯t anticipate this.


    I knewn; he was a slender and cheerful man. He gave off a boy¨Cnext¨Cdoor vibe. It was


    unfortunate that he died knowing his wife was having an affair with his best friend.


    I understood then why Chris was so devastated and in pain whenn died¡­ He was the reason for


    his passing.


    It also exined why aftern¡¯s death, his parents treated Jewel badly and even refused to ept


    her baby. They were probably convinced the baby wasn¡¯tn¡¯s.


    There wasn¡¯t much hatred within me when I found out Chris cheated on me, but that had now


    changed. He was a pathetic jerk who had ended a life¨Chis best friend¡¯s.


    Sensing my inner turmoil, Lisa led me to her office to rest. I sat on the chair and said nothing for a


    long


    time.


    Althoughn and I were not the closest, I could empathize and feel the suffocation he experienced


    as he took hisst breath of despair.


    ¡°Chris is unforgivable.¡± Lisa, too, was overwhelmed and angry.


    ¡°Now that Jewel has med everything on him, he has no choice but to make things up to her. He


    owes that to her, and he deserves the consequences. As for Jewel, she¡¯s not entirely innocent. I


    don¡¯t believe that Chris would make a move if she hadn¡¯t given him the green light.


    ¡°It takes two to tango, but she acts like it¡¯s all Chris¡® fault. Not to mention, she has no problem


    endingn¡¯s bloodline just to marry into the Gildon family! She¡¯s evil to the core!¡± Lisa ranted at


    once.


    I absentmindedly picked at my nails while murmuring. ¡°Liz, whatever you do, make her keep the


    baby.¡±


    ¡°Maddie, I understand your feelings. Even if I resort to tricks and make her keep the baby, she¡¯ll just


    go to another clinic if she doesn¡¯t change her mind. On top of that¡­¡± Lisa paused and continued,


    ¡°Jewel has set her heart on marrying Chris. She won¡¯t keep the baby. Even if she does, the child


    will not live a happy life.


    Suddenly, I recalled a quote, ¡°Nobody has the right to dictate someone else¡¯s life.¡± Indeed, I had no


    right to do that.


    It still didn¡¯t erase the fact that Jewel¡¯s baby wasnsst bit of legacy. If the baby ceased to exist,


    so wouldn.


    At that moment, I felt helpless and horrible¨Csomething I¡¯d never experienced when I found out about


    Chris and Jewel¡¯s affair.


    ¡°If Chris is conscientious, he won¡¯t let Jewel abort the baby.¡± Lisa simrly understood the


    significance of


    this child.


    I closed my eyes. ¡°Let¡¯s hope he is.¡±


    While I was calming myself in Lisa¡¯s room, Chris called me. ¡°Can you ask Lisa for a favor and tell


    her not to go through with Jewel¡¯s abortion?¡±


    At least he was still humane.


    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    I repeated what Lisa told me earlier. Following that, I added, ¡°Chris, she¡¯s previously used her baby


    as emotional ckmail against you. Now, she¡¯s aborting it to marry you. Whether the baby gets to


    live isn¡¯t up to Lisa but you.¡±


    Chupt 106


    2/2


    A startled Chris asked with a hint of shock, ¡°You found but?¡±


    ¡°Jewel came to me and asked if Zack and Bree would ept her baby.¡± I came clean.


    The other side of the call went quiet. Chris seemingly knew my answer to that question. Moments


    later, he ended the call, and I left the hospital.


    When Derick saw me, he wasn¡¯t surprised and approached me with a smile instead. ¡°Care for a


    game?¡± ¡°Do you know wheren¡¯s grave is?¡± I asked.

 Redmption 187

    Redmption 187


    Derick¡¯s smile froze at my question. He probed, ¡°Uh, why do you ask?¡±


    Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    I expressed, ¡°I¡¯d like to visit him.¡±


    He examined me with a strange look. I didn¡¯t exin any further, let alone mention Chris¡®


    involvement withn¡¯s death. I was confident Derick was in the dark about this, or he would¡¯ve


    decisively ended his friendship with Chris.


    ¡°What happened to you?¡± He didn¡¯t answer my question but showed me concern instead.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you take me there?¡± I steered the topic back. Since he was worried about me, I let him


    tag along


    Sensing my strange demeanor, Derick nodded and brought me ton¡¯s grave.


    Coincidentally, we sawn¡¯s parents there and could hear their cries from afar. Other than sobbing,


    we heard some curses too. Although I didn¡¯t catch who they were cursing at, I figured it would be


    Jewel.


    Knowing it would be an inappropriate time to walk over, Derick and I waited until the couple left.


    While walking past us, Alex Goodwin held his frail wife, Teresa Milford. They both looked pale and


    helpless. Teresa sobbed, which tugged at my heartstrings.


    They did not nce at me or Derick, as if the world did not matter anymore when they had lost their


    son.


    Derick watched their retreating figures and sighed. n sure has put them through a lot.¡±


    My chest tightened at thatment. ¡°It¡¯s notn¡¯s fault.¡±


    If he had the chance to choose, he wouldn¡¯t have put his parents through such misery. He died in a


    car ident because he had been greatly shocked and overwhelmed by what he saw.


    ¡°Hm?¡± Derick did not understand me.


    Without saying anything, I walked up ton¡¯s grave with a bouquet in hand. In his picture,n wore a


    smile so dazzling that it could light up the world.


    Yet, a man like him had experienced the most humiliating betrayal. I could only imagine how his


    world had crumbled when he found out.


    ¡°How¡¯s it over there,n? Is there a billiard hall? Are you still good at it?¡± asked Derick. I stayed


    quiet because I had nothing to say.


    After expressing his thoughts, he noticed my silence and toldn in my stead, ¡°You used to ask


    Maddie


    up with Chris.¡± when she¡¯s getting married every time you see her. Well, ask no more. She¡¯s


    broken


    He said nothing after that. Throughout the visit, I stood silently and stared atn¡¯s picture on the


    grave. Somehow, I saw his smile slowly fading into sadness, grief, and even anger¡­


    Taken aback, I instinctively stretched my hand out but my arm tensed up. The next second, Derick¡¯s


    voice sounded. ¡°Madeline, are you okay? Are you dizzy or feeling unwell?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± I turned to look at him.


    ¡°You don¡¯t look too well. Plus, you lost your bnce and almost fell just now.¡±


    His words surprised me. Did that really happen? I didn¡¯t notice a thing.


    Considering my state, Derick decided to send me home. As we walked, he advised, ¡°You should


    come to these ces less often. There are many spirits here, and your frall body might not take it


    well.¡±


    I was speechless. I didn¡¯t believe in such concepts, but I did feel physically sick. As such, I sent


    Xander a leave request and went home.


    That day, I was in a deep slumber. By the time I woke up, the sky had darkened.


    I could vaguely hear some door sounds outside, so I got out of bed and opened the door. Indeed,


    someone was there.

 Redmption 188

    Redmption 188


    1/2


    It was Brandon!


    Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    He was unlocking his door while carrying a bag of groceries.


    Perhaps I opened the door too abruptly because he looked back at me and squeezed his eyes


    slightly. As if my soul had left my body, I stared at him nkly and bald nothing.


    Finally, he spoke up. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±


    I regained my senses and shook my head.


    ¡°Are you sick?¡± he inquired, putting his grocery bag down and walking toward me.


    While still in a daze, I couldn¡¯t react quickly enough to reply and shook my head again.


    Brandon¡¯s handnded on my forehead. It felt cool. I could hear a hint of sternness in his voice.


    ¡°Are you running a fever?¡±


    I was still muddled, not registering that he was asking about me.


    Having deciphered my condition, Brandon entered my house and carried me. I was already a light


    person, so when he swept me into his arms, I instinctively grabbed onto him upon feeling unsteady.


    Heid me on the couch and looked around before asking me, ¡°Where are your slippers?¡±


    It was only then that I realized I was barefoot. My mind, at that moment, had wandered off and lost


    its way. I blinked, still not responding to him.


    Brandon¡¯s eyes revealed a note of helplessness. With that, he went into my bedroom and passed


    me my slippers. ¡°Do you have a thermometer?¡± he asked.


    ¡°I want some water.¡± I didn¡¯t answer his question.


    He hesitated momentarily, then went to fetch me a ss of water. However, the kettle was empty.


    Instead of boiling more water, he returned to my side and carried me out the door. I didn¡¯t question


    where we were going because it didn¡¯t bother me where he might bring me.


    Soon, I was carried back to his ce andid on his couch. Then, he went to boil some water and


    showed me a thermometer. ¡°Do you know how to use it?¡±


    I froze briefly. He ced the thermometer onto my palm. Afraid I would let go of it, he gripped my


    hand and instructed slowly, ¡°I can¡¯t do it for you, so you must do it yourself. ce it in your armpit.¡±


    Following that, he tentatively released my hand. ¡°I¡¯ll fetch you some water for the medicine. If the


    fever persists, I¡¯ll send you to the hospital. Due to my unresponsiveness, he reminded me, ¡°First,


    let¡¯s take your temperature.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I finally replied. As if I were alone, I pulled my cor and stuffed the thermometer under my


    arm.


    Brandon looked away and only went to the kitchen after I took my temperature. Soon enough, he


    passed me a ss of water and a pill. ¡°Here. Take them.¡±


    I took the medicine and put it in my mouth before drinking water, Although I was good at swallowing


    pills, I failed this time. The water quickly seeped into the medicine, spreading the bitterness across


    my tongue. Out of options, I couldn¡¯t help but spit it out.


    Brandon was swift. He immediately caught the pill, as well as my saliva, with his hand. I was baffled


    by that sight.


    2/2


    ¡°It¡¯s okay. Have some water. You can retake itter.¡± He wasn¡¯t disgusted at all. Seeing I was in a


    daze, he asked, ¡°Do you want some sweets?¡±


    I continued drinking my water without a word.


    Rising to his feet, Brandon walked away and returned with a piece of candy. ¡°Something sweet,¡± he


    said as he put it near my mouth.


    I didn¡¯t open my mouth, as my childhood memory shed before my eyes. I used to hate the


    bitterness of medicine, and my parents would prepare a piece of candy on the side.


    Since they did not want me to have cavities from excessive sugar, I seldom had any. Still, I was a


    child and craved sugar. Whenever I yearned for something sweet, they would give me a piece of


    candy.

 Redmption 189

    Redmption 189


    I neverined about bitter medicine again after my parents passed on. No one offered candy


    to go with the medicine. I never had any again either.


    ¡°It¡¯s sweet,¡± Brandon said as he raised the candy and brushed it against my lips. It seemed like an


    enticing


    gesture.


    I ended up opening my mouth. Once he popped the candy in, tears welled in my eyes and streamed


    down.


    ¡°Why are you crying?¡± He caressed my face and wiped my tears.


    His words made me feel worse. My tears became more uncontroble.


    Brandon couldn¡¯t keep up with wiping my tears. He took the cup from me and squeezed my hand.


    ¡°Let¡¯s not take the medicine if it¡¯s too bitter.¡±


    Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    After he left, I buried my face in my hands. I felt much better after crying.


    The thermometer under my armpit beeped to show its final reading, so I took it out. It read 38.2


    degrees Celsius.


    I had a fever as expected.


    Brandon then returned with a towel that was seemingly wrapped around something.


    ¡°We¡¯ll use ice to bring down the fever. Have some water. We won¡¯t need the medicine if your


    temperature drops.


    ¡°Close your eyes and get some sleep,¡± Brandon said softly.


    He lifted my legs andid me down on the couch. He then ced the ice¨Cwrapped towel on my


    forehead.


    I obediently closed my eyes, but soon I heard the click of a lighter. The smell of burning alcohol


    soon. filled the air.


    There was a sharp pang of heat in my palm as Brandon rubbed his hand against mine. I


    instinctively flinched, but he whispered, ¡°Trusing alcohol to cool you down.¡±


    I knew this remedy because my dad used it on me when I was a child.


    It was a little scary, having to put the hands in burning alcohol and rub them warm.


    I stayed still. He rubbed my left hand and then my right. I thought he was done, but he reached out


    and grabbed my foot.


    I pulled my foot back and rejected, ¡°No need.¡±


    ¡°Weren¡¯t you so bold that you tried to strip me? You won¡¯t even let me touch your foot?¡±


    I froze at Brandon¡¯s words. I wanted to y dead and pretend that I passed out, but I knew that he


    understood. Since he could state the details, he must know I remembered everything.


    Silence was the best strategy at moments like this, so I closed my eyes and ignored him.


    His hand rubbed my foot. The tickling warm sensation hit me right in the heart.


    Today, Brandon made me relive the time when my parents were still around. I felt warm yet also


    sad. The tears couldn¡¯t help but fall again.


    ¡°Take a nap. I made some potato soup. Have some when you wake up, Brandon said as he got up


    to leave.


    Chap 189


    2/2


    ¡°Brandon. Did you know,me?¡± I called out, watching him from behind.


    He brought back so many childhood memories today. He seemed like he was family. It was like my


    parents¡® shadow was taking care of me.


    He paused. He seemed to mutter something, but I couldn¡¯t hear him clearly.


    I fell asleep and dreamed of my parents. They took my hands, coaxed me into taking my medicine,


    and fed me candy. My dad was rubbing my hands and feet.


    ¡°Dad, Mom¡­¡± I murmured and reached out to hold him.


    ¡°Mae, time for dinner.¡± I heard Brandon¡¯s voice instead.


    I refused to wake up. All I wanted was to hold onto my parents¡® hands tighter. ¡°Dad, Mom, don¡¯t go.


    Don¡¯t leave me.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t, I¡¯ll always be here with you.¡± It was Brandon¡¯s voice again.


    I found him really annoying at this moment. Why was he interrupting when I just wanted to talk to


    my parents?


    ¡°Brandon, go away,¡± I snapped and woke up.


    I


    I was gripping Brandon¡¯s hands tightly. He was looking at me. The moment our gazes met, I saw


    pain in his eyes.

 Redmption 191

    Redmption 191


    I remembered what I had wanted to ask Brandon yesterday. ¡°Did they bother you again?¡±


    As I asked, I instinctively looked at his hands and face. Fortunately, there weren¡¯t any injuries.


    Brandon seemed to understand my concern. ¡°No. Even if they did, they wouldn¡¯t be a match for


    me.¡±


    Such confidence.


    After finishing thest sip of the soup. I asked, ¡°Have you found out anything about your father¡¯s car


    ident? Who was behind it? They gave you such a deadly threat.¡±


    Brandon looked at me. ¡°They¡¯re afraid that I¡¯ll uncover the truth behind the death of my father¡¯s


    boss.¡±


    Brandon left his words half¨Csaid without further exnations. I had to keep asking. ¡°Is your father¡¯s


    boss someone important? Does his death affect anyone¡¯s interests?¡±


    ¡°He died over a decade ago. It¡¯s not about interest. They fear the resentment of his children.¡±


    I tensed inexplicably at Brandon¡¯s words.


    ¡°Does he have children? Have you met them? Do they agree with your investigation?¡± I bombarded


    him with questions.


    Brandon lowered his gaze and avoided my eyes. ¡°She doesn¡¯t know.¡±


    I was at a loss for words. After a moment, I asked, ¡°Will you continue investigating?¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡± Brandon didn¡¯t hesitate.


    0


    I voiced my thoughts, ¡°But¡­ you might be in danger. The men from yesterday seemed very


    powerful.¡±


    A fearless determination shed in Brandon¡¯s eyes as he looked straight at me. ¡°Are you perhaps


    worried


    about me?¡±


    I


    Although something seemed off with his words, I nodded and tried to talk some sense into him,¡±


    Brandon, both your father and his boss are dead. It won¡¯t bring them back even if you find out the


    truth. It¡¯s not worth putting yourself in danger.¡±


    Brandon¡¯s stare turned intense. ¡°Is that what you think?¡±


    ¡°We should always move on and not dwell on the past. Those used to be my dad¡¯s words to my


    mom. I had always kept them in mind.


    ¡°Got it,¡± Brandon replied with a hum before he continued eating.


    I didn¡¯t know what else to say. But to leave just like that seemed inappropriate. As I watched


    Brandon finish the food, I showered him with praise as my form of gratitude. ¡°Your cooking skills are


    excellent. Did you learn it in the military? Were you a cook?¡±


    I knew that the answer was no. He had told me that he was from the special forces.


    ¡°I learned to cook for my sister. She got sick easily since she was young and was a picky eater.¡± Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    I was stunned at Brandon¡¯s words. ¡°You have a sister?¡±


    ¡°Yes, a biological sister at that,¡± he rified as if to stop me from misunderstanding.


    I clicked my tongue. ¡°You never mentioned her.¡±


    Brandon paused. He looked up and nced at me. ¡°I haven¡¯t had the chance.¡±


    Chapter191


    ¡°How old is she? Is she my age? Is she in school or working?¡± I asked curiously.


    Brandon didn¡¯t answer at once. The grip on his fork tightened. ¡°She isn¡¯t very healthy.¡±


    I froze. I didn¡¯t know what to say when I realized I seemed to have pierced him in his sore spot.


    Brandon exined further, ¡°She has a congenital heart disease.¡±


    I responded by saying, ¡°That can be treated with a heart transnt.¡±


    Brandon fell silent again. I blurted out when I realized what the problem could be, ¡°Brandon, are you


    out of money?¡±


    A heart transnt was a major surgery that required a significant amount of money and annual


    check- ups. Brandon¡¯s current ie was likely insufficient to cover his sister¡¯s surgery. Their


    father had passed on, and their mother¡¯s situation too was uncertain.


    His gaze made me feel uneasy. I quickly added so he wouldn¡¯t misunderstand, ¡°If that¡¯s the case, I


    can lend you money. I have enough.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid I might not be able to pay it back,¡± Brandon replied,


    I was convinced that he was short on funds. To help him out, I joked, ¡°Be my man if you can¡¯t pay it


    back.¡±

 Redmption 192

    Redmption 192


    To speak without thinking my words through was a big mistake.


    I realized how inappropriate those words were as soon as they escaped my lips.


    Brandon responded just as I was finding a way to take them back, ¡°Okay.¡±


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Had he just agreed to it?


    Wasn¡¯t he going to hesitate? Shouldn¡¯t he reject the offer to save his pride as a man?


    Even if Brandon was fine with the idea of being my man, he should have refused to borrow my


    money. Yet he showed no intention of doing so.


    I figured that he must really need the money and desperately wanted to cure his sister. The thought


    made me sympathize with Brandon, who had always been tough and strong.


    The pang of sympathy was unsettling. I cleared my throat lightly, ¡°Have you taken your sister to a


    doctor? Give me a copy of her medical records. I can get someone to check it out.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± he agreed again.


    I stood up. There was nothing more to say. ¡°Thank you for today. I¡¯ll get going.¡±


    He looked at me. ¡°Call me if you feel unwell.¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡± I smiled. I sighed in relief as I turned away.


    Being cared for was surprisingly stressful.


    When I got home, I leaned against the door trying to steady my breathing and emotions, but my


    phone, started ringing. I walked back to my room and found that it was a call from Chris.


    I had no idea why he called, but just the thought of him made me sick.


    The call disconnected. I noticed there were over twenty missed calls, mostly from Chris with a few


    from


    Gordon.


    No doubt Gordon¡¯s calls were at Chris¡® behest.


    Chris must have something urgent to say, given how persistent he was. When he called again, I


    picked up. ¡°Hello?¡±


    ¡°Maddie, where are you? I miss you.¡± Chris¡® voice wasced with pain. It was clear that he was


    drunk


    I remained silent. He chuckled bitterly. ¡°Right, you¡¯ve dumped me.¡±


    I said nothing still. Chris called out my name softly. ¡°Maddie, are you sure about that? We¡¯ve been


    together for ten years. You¡¯ve always loved me¡­¡±


    So Chris knew. He had always taken advantage of my feelings for him, hadn¡¯t he?


    ¡°Maddie, say something. Tell me, is it really over between us? Can¡¯t we get back together?¡± I heard


    something shattering as Chris spake.


    It seemed that he was indeed drunk, so I refused to hear any more of his nonsense. ¡°Chris, I¡¯m


    hanging up.


    He stopped me. ¡°Don¡¯t! Madeline, will you feel hurt if I end up with Jewel?¡±


    A cruel question to the core.


    2/7


    He was twisting the knife in my heart.


    any pain?¡±


    I solemnly said, ¡°Chris Gildon, would it take me to die liken for you to feel


    The line went silent as if the call had been cut off, but I knew he was still there.


    I didn¡¯t hang up either. I brutally exposed the truth Chris had been avoiding.


    I could tell that he must be in agony. I could almost see him writhing in pain. But he deserved all of


    it. No pain couldpare to death.


    ¡°So you know¡­¡± Chris spoke in anguish after a long silence. He then hung up.


    I held onto the phone for a long time while listening to the dial tone. My heart felt like it was


    plummeting.


    I couldn¡¯t sleep well that night. The memories I shared with Chris flooded my dreams, from our first


    meeting to our ten years together.


    Our past rewound like a movie that reyed in my dreams all night long.

 Redmption 193

    Redmption 193


    I woke up again before dawn. After taking a shower, I saw a reminder from Brandon to pick up the


    breakfast he had left at my door.


    He didn¡¯t question why I hadn¡¯t eaten his breakfast and continued to get it for me.


    I appreciated his thoughtfulness and ate breakfast before heading to the office.


    No one else was there yet since I arrived early. Even after I nned my day and reviewed


    everyone¡¯s recent performance progress, it still wasn¡¯t time to start work.


    I took out my phone and scrolled through social media. While it could be time¨Cwasting, I had just a


    few friends on my feed. It was one way to check up on their lives and know how they were doing


    even without a call or text.


    Derick posted about going to a billiards challenge. Lisa documented delivering another baby and


    recorded it whenever she did so. The baby for the day was at number 5566.


    She had delivered 5566 babies. If she hadn¡¯t made a record, she wouldn¡¯t have known that she had


    helped bring so many lives into the world.


    I liked her post and left a thumbs¨Cup sticker. As I continued scrolling, I saw Chris¡® new post.


    ¡°Fatherly duties for the rest of my life.¡± Attached was a cartoon drawing of a mother and child.


    My heart clenched. I knew what it meant¨Che had epted Jewel.


    Chris posted it in the middle of the night, and it had gathered many likes and congrattory words.


    Some, who were unaware of our breakup, tagged me to congratte us.


    I chuckled bitterly and replied to ament, ¡°Congrattions. Best wishes.¡±


    With that, I closed the app and stopped scrolling.


    I set my phone aside and stared at myputer screen with my mind nk


    I didn¡¯t feel sad. There was just a heavy weight in my chest. It was a hard feeling to describe.


    My phone rang. Seeing that it was Xander, I looked over to his office. He hadn¡¯t arrived.


    I picked up the phone. ¡°Mr. Roulder.¡±


    ¡°Ms. Crown, you don¡¯t have toe to the office for the next couple of days.¡± Xander¡¯s voice had a


    lazy. just woke¨Cup tone.


    I guessed he was still in bed.


    ¡°Mr. Roulder, what do you mean?¡± I asked, confused.


    ¡°Don¡¯t get me wrong. It¡¯s nothing. I just think you¡¯ve been working too hardtely. You¡¯re granted


    two days of paid leave,¡± Xander exined.


    Working too hard? Me? I had been taking more days off than workingtely. Was that a subtle hint?


    ¡°Mr. Roulder, I¡¯ll try not to take as much leave in the future,¡± I promised.


    He immediately responded, ¡°You¡¯re overthinking. I wasn¡¯t hinting at anything. It¡¯s just to give you


    some rest. We take good care of beautiful employees at ourpany, especially ones like you.¡±


    I wasn¡¯t a naive child, so I wouldn¡¯t be fooled by such words.


    As I recalled everything that had happened, I asked, ¡°Is this another order from the


    Xander coughed, startled at my words. He then rebuked, ¡°You¡¯d think he¡¯s that idle?¡±


    Xander denied it, but to be given leave with no reason was truly odd.


    997¡±


    ¡°Ms. Crown, I¡¯m formally notifying you of your leave. If you don¡¯t take it, you¡¯re disobeying my orders


    as your leader. That will result in a sry deduction.¡±


    Xander was using his authority to force me into taking leave. This was a first in all my years of


    working.


    I


    Since I had handled today¡¯s tasks and two days off wouldn¡¯t affect anything, I agreed. ¡°Sure.¡±


    After hanging up, I reached out to the team supervisor to share my n and point out each


    member¡¯s issues he should oversee. I then left.


    Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    I texted Derick once in the car. ¡°Derick, look up information rted to the boss of my current


    company.¡±

 Redmption 194

    Redmption 194


    I received Derick¡¯s call as soon as I sent my message.


    ¡°Why¡¯s that? Is he trying to bang you?¡± Derick was straightforward.


    I burst intoughter. ¡°I¡¯d actually like that, but I haven¡¯t even met the guy. How could I do that?¡±


    ¡°You haven¡¯t even met him? So you¡¯re asking out of curiosity? Girl, are you saying that I have too


    much free time on my hands?¡± Derick sounded surprised.


    Derick must be busy since he had just posted about participating in a billiards challenge.


    I felt that I must have been a little too reckless. ¡°Forget it if you¡¯re too busy. I was just curious. It isn¡¯t


    that important anyway.¡±


    ¡°Girl, are you trying to make me feel guilty?¡± Derick raised his voice in anger, but it was just a put¨C


    on.


    Iughed. ¡°No, really, I was just curious. If you have time, check it out. But if not, it¡¯s fine:¡±


    ¡°I always have time for you, not for others. I¡¯ll search it up.¡± Derick agreed.


    He didn¡¯t hang up the phone immediately after, I knew he had more to say, probably about Chris


    announcement.


    I quietly waited. He was silent for a while before finally saying, ¡°Forget it, it¡¯s nothing. Call me


    anytime.


    I breathed a sigh of relief. It would have been awkward no matter what he would have said. It was


    better,


    this way.


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    The thought of his challenge crossed my mind. I asked, ¡°Derick, when is the challenge? Give me a


    ticket, and I¡¯lle to cheer you on.¡±


    ¡°Haha, sure!¡± Derick agreed very readily.


    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    I drove home after hanging up. I hadn¡¯t slept well due to frequent dreaming all night, and I wanted to


    catch up on sleep. Upon arriving at the neighborhood, I saw a crowd gathered at the entrance.


    I walked over after finding a parking spot and saw an announcement posted at the entrance.


    Demolition!


    Seeing that word made my heart sink.


    Although I had a premonition that this ce wouldn¡¯tst long, seeing it confirmed was still hard to


    ept.


    To others, a demolition might be a surprise and a chance to earn a fortune overnight. But to me, it


    was a destruction that would crush my happiest and warmest memories.


    ¡°Everything has to be moved out within two months. Those who move out early get a 10 thousand


    dors bonus.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been wanting to leave this ce for a long time. It¡¯s finally happening¡±


    ¡°I just signed a one¨Cyear lease with a tenant. Now that I have to ask them to move, I probably have


    topensate them.


    2/2


    The crowd chattered on and debated.


    I quietly left the crowd. Instead of driving, I walked home.


    The neighborhood was old, but that was mainly the attribute of its original charm.


    The locust trees nking both sides of the road were lush green. I remembered that back in my


    childhood. days, my mom and the neighbors would pick the flowers when they were in full bloom


    and make ck locust pancakes..


    Summers were spent cooling off and ying under the trees with my mom.


    The rockery over there was the best yground for me and my ymates. We climbed up and


    down, smoothing the rocks over time.


    I walked and looked around. My heart ached at the thought that the ce would soon be leveled,


    and everything would be gone.


    With the neighborhood and my parents¡® home around, I felt they were still with me.


    But without it, I wouldn¡¯t know where to ce my longing.

 Redmption 195

    Redmption 195


    Where else could I find memories of my parents?


    ¡°Maddie.¡± A voice called out to me at the entrance. It was Olivia from across the building.


    I knew that she hade because of the demolition notice.


    ¡°Maddie, it¡¯s such a pity that this ce is going to be demolished.¡± It was rare that Olivia sounded


    so emotional.


    I had no response, only a face full of sadness. Olivia continued, ¡°I just spent money fixing up the


    ce. and it hasn¡¯t even been rented out for a month. Now I have to evict the tenant. It¡¯s such a


    loss.¡±


    I didn¡¯t know what to say.


    ¡°Maddie, I called the young man renting the ce but he didn¡¯t pick up. If you see him today, tell


    him to call me back.


    ¡°Also, inform him about the demolition so he can prepare and start looking for another ce. He


    should start packing his stuff,¡± Olivia requested.


    I agreed to her request. ¡°Got it.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Maddie,¡± Olivia politely thanked me before switching to gossip mode. ¡°Have you met


    the young man renting my ce? He¡¯s a nice guy, isn¡¯t he?¡±


    I chuckled. ¡°He¡¯s alright.¡±


    ¡°Maddie, you must have high standards. Is such an excellent young man just alright? If I had a


    daughter, I¡¯d make him my son¨Cinw. Olivia was clearly impressed with Brandon.


    ¡°You can always have another child,¡± I joked.


    I


    If it were any other time, she might feel I was being disrespectful, but there was recently an ongoing


    viral news. It was about a sixty¨Cyear¨Cold woman giving birth again.


    Oliviaughed. ¡°Quit it. I can¡¯t possibly do that.¡±


    I just smiled. Olivia


    in went on, ¡°You should start packing your stuff too. Throw away what you don¡¯t need


    and sell what you can.


    ¡°I have the number of a reliable scrap collector who offers good prices. I¡¯ll give you his number. You


    can sell him anything you have to get rid of.¡±


    Her enthusiasm made it hard for me to refuse.


    Olivia left me a number and left. I went upstairs.


    When I opened the door and looked over the ce that was filled with memories, my eyes suddenly


    stung with tears.


    Some things couldn¡¯t be kept, no matter how much I wanted to.


    My dad used to tell me that I had to let go of things I couldn¡¯t keep. I knew that the demolition was


    Inevitable, so after a moment of sadness, I began to assess the ce and started packing.


    I


    I had to stay in my room, and I couldn¡¯t bear to mess with my parents¡® room, so I decided to start


    with the storage room.


    As I was packing, I decided that I needed to buy my own ce soon so I could move my parent¡¯s


    belongings there.


    Chap 195


    2/2


    Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    An old bookshelf, a kids bike I used to ride, my dad¡¯s fishing kit, and my mom¡¯s easel¡­


    All the items were old and used, but I couldn¡¯t bear to throw them away.


    As I packed the items


    I felt the increasing need to buy a house to store them.


    I found an old wicker trunk under the heaps of items. I remembered it because I had a photo taken


    while sitting on it.


    My dad said it was his storage container when he left the orphanage, the equivalent of a modern¨C


    day


    suitcase.


    I opened it and found my dad¡¯s navy blue tank top. It reminded me of Brandon¡¯s green tank top.


    I Underneath the tank top was a notebook with a pen clipped to it. I opened it and saw my dad¡¯s


    handwriting. The familiar sight made me catch my breath.


    Tears immediately fell,nding on the handwriting and smudging the ink.


    I quickly tried to wipe it away, but the notebook slipped from my hands. Something fell out.

 Redmption 196

    Redmption 196


    Alpha Corporation.


    Arthur Griffins.


    I was familiar with both thepany¡¯s name and the dominant signature of the legal


    representative.


    It was Gildon Corporation¡¯srgest partner. Zack had a close rtionship with Arthur. But why did


    my dad. have a contract with Alpha Corporation ten years ago?


    AS


    far as I knew, my dad wasn¡¯t an employee of Gildon Corporation back then, so what was he doing


    with


    the contract?


    I checked the contract again. It was on new energy development, which now fell under Gildon


    Corporation running with a mature and profitable operation.


    Technically, the contract belonged to the Gildon Corporation, but strangely enough, Zack¡¯s


    signature


    wasn¡¯t on it.


    I set the contract aside and opened my father¡¯s notebook.


    It was a work diary mostly filled with work ns and some symbols I didn¡¯t understand. I flipped


    through to thest page and saw the words. ¡°Let¡¯s hope the contract signing goes well.¡±


    After that, there was nothing more.


    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    It was probably after that my dad had his car ident.


    I recalled what my dad had said the night before the ident. ¡°Mae, I can build you a yground


    after)


    tomorrow.¡±


    I had excitedly hugged and kissed him without asking why.


    Now, I understood. If he had signed the contract with Alpha Corporation ten years ago, his


    development would have been on par with the current Gildon Corporation.


    He could have built amendal empire, not just a yground.


    Those were all ifs because of his death.


    Could my


    dad¡¯s car ident be associated with the contract? Could it have been more than an ident?


    Chaotic thoughts flooded my mind, and they sent a chill down my spine. I slumped in the storage


    room, paralyzed for a while.


    I eventually decided to investigate the matter myself, starting with Arthur from¨CAlpha Corporation.


    I knew it wouldn¡¯t be easy to meet him. Thanks to his close rtionship with Zack, I overheard Zack


    and Bree talking about Arthur having dder cancer a few years ago. He had retired to recuperate


    and left the pany to his son.


    I could find out where Arthur was staying by asking Stewart Glover, Zack¡¯s chauffeur. I could then


    visit Acthur under the pretense of checking on his health.


    I was determined to act, but I knew asking Stewart directly would arouse suspicion.


    Stewart had been with Zack for over a decade, even longer than I had been in the Gildon family. His


    long tenure meant that he was diligent and discreet, with thetter especially important.


    I had to be crafty to get the information.


    2/2


    I researched all the top health and wellness centers in Hilcord and quickly narrowed it down to three


    possible locations. But I still needed Stewart¡¯s help to pinpoint which one Arthur was at.


    The best way to get Stewart¡¯s help wouldn¡¯t necessarily involve him speaking.


    I came up with a n after much thought.


    I could borrow Stewart¡¯s car and check the dashcam recordings since Zack visited Arthur every


    month.


    It wasn¡¯t an easy task to borrow the car. I had one, and if I asked for another, Zack would offer to


    give me a brand¨Cnew car instead. That was why I shouldn¡¯t be making that request.


    Conrad was the only person in the Gildon family who might need to borrow a car. He had just


    returned and didn¡¯t have a car yet.


    Although he could use any of the family cars, he could im unfamiliarity with the roads and ask


    Stewart to take him, then send Stewart away.


    With a n in mind, I needed to approach Conrad, but I hesitated. Knowing how he felt about me,


    he would agree to my request, but it meant taking advantage of his feelings once again

 Redmption 197

    Redmption 197


    But I had to find out the truth behind my dad¡¯s death.


    I decided to approach Conrad after much deliberation, though I needed a good reason.


    While I pondered on that, I received Bree¡¯s call. Her voice was filled with anger. ¡°That rascal, Chris,


    is trying to drive us to our graves! If he dares to get together with that woman, I will die right in front


    of him with Zack.¡±


    I wasn¡¯t surprised by her reaction. I tried to soothe her. ¡°Don¡¯t be upset Bree. Parents shouldn¡¯t


    dictate matters of marriage.¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t dictate, otherwise we wouldn¡¯t have let things between the two of you get to this point. If


    he thinks he can marry a widow, he can forget it,¡± Bree¨Cfirmly dered,


    It felt oddly depressing, but I didn¡¯t know how to console her. Honestly, I didn¡¯t even want to.


    Chris and Jewel owed me an apology, so why should defend them? I wasn¡¯t some kind¨Chearted


    saint. I was magnanimous enough not to add insult to injury.


    ¡°Maddle, Zack is so mad that he¡¯s staging a hunger strike in protest. Could youe over and talk


    him out of it? He only listens to you.¡± Bree finally revealed the true reason for her call.


    It seemed the heavens were helping me. Going back to the Gildon family could give me ess to


    the Gildon family car and gather the information I needed without involving Conrad.


    I agreed. Bree continued to rant about Chris before hanging up.


    Entering the Gildon family home didn¡¯t guarantee ess to the car. I still called Conrad to make


    sure my n would work


    ¡°Maddie,¡± he greeted me warmly.


    ¡°Conrad,¡± I addressed him respectfully to remind him of our rtionship.


    I realized how hypocritical and maniptive I was. On one hand, I didn¡¯t want Conrad to have


    feelings for me, but on the other, I was exploiting those feelings.


    ¡°Zack is upset and refuses to eat. Bree wants me toe over, but I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t handle it alone.


    Can youe too?¡±


    Conrad hesitated for two seconds before agreeing to it


    I could tell he wasn¡¯t surprised. He must have known about it.


    When I arrived at the Gildon estate, Conrad was there. He seemed to be waiting for me instead of


    going


    1. in.


    ¡°You know my father. No amount of persuasion will likely change his mind,¡± Conrad reminded me


    once he


    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    saw me.


    I understood, Zack still hoped that I could get back with Chris.


    I gave a mocking smile. Conrad didn¡¯t say anything about my reaction.


    We entered together. Bree seemed surprised to see us return together, but I ignored her reaction


    and asked, ¡°Where¡¯s Zack?¡±


    ¡°In the study. He refuses toe out or let anyone in. He spent the whole night there.


    ¡°If he didn¡¯t asionally yell at us, I would¡¯ve suspected he was in there trying to take his life,¡± Bree


    spoke


    bluntly.


    ¡°Mom, Dad isn¡¯t that vulnerable. Stop thinking that,¡± Conrad replied.


    ¡°Bree, let me check on him.¡± I went upstairs with her nod of approval.


    I knocked several times but heard nothing from Inside, Getting worried, I spoke up. ¡°Zack, it¡¯s me,


    Maddie.¡± There were finally footsteps. The door opened after a moment, and the sight of the study


    gave me a fright.

 Redmption 198

    Redmption 198


    ¡°Zack..¡± I whispered in shock. My voice was trembling


    ¡°Maddle,¡± Zack forced a smile as he called out my name.


    ¡°Your hair..¡± I reached out wanting to touch his hair.


    He looked puzzled. ¡°What about my hair? Is it messy?¡±


    Tears streamed down my face.


    He was even more bewildered upon seeing me cry. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Why are you crying? What has


    Bree said? Don¡¯t believe her. She likes to talk nonsense.¡±


    Zack seemed to have no idea that his hair had grayed


    I had just seen him a few days ago when his hair was still ck. Now though not entirely white, 80


    percent of it had grayed, turning him into a wholly different man. He had aged from a robust middle¨C


    aged man to an elderly man.


    I couldn¡¯t find the words to speak, especially when he didn¡¯t seem to realize it himself.


    Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    I stepped forward and hugged him. My tears flowed uncontrobly.


    He gently patted my back. ¡°Don¡¯t cry. I¡¯m fine, there¡¯s nothing to cry about. I just wanted to be alone,


    but Bree wouldn¡¯t stop nagging. She even called you over.


    He thought I had cried out of worry about him locking himself in the study for two days.


    I shook my head and leaned on his shoulder. It felt as if a gigantic hand was squeezing my throat.


    ¡°Come sit down. I¡¯ll make you some coffee.¡± Zack seemed to be in better spirits than expected, but I


    knew he was just putting on a brave face so I wouldn¡¯t worry


    His overnight transformation told me everything.


    ¡°Zack, leave it¡­ Chris will deal with his affairs. Don¡¯t worry or try to control anything.¡±


    I had never felt so sorry for anyone. The pain I felt toward Zack made it feel like he was my father.


    The light in Zack¡¯s eyes dimmed. ¡°He¡¯s let us down. I¡¯ve been reflecting on this, and it¡¯s all because


    we spoiled him from such a young age.¡±


    I tried to console him, ¡°You shouldn¡¯t me yourself for that. Chris is an adult with his own thoughts


    and decisions. He isn¡¯t a child.¡±


    Zack didn¡¯t respond. I knew he wasn¡¯t listening.


    He was a stubborn man. Despite his easygoing nature and the way he handled naggings from Bree


    without a fuss, he had his unwavering beliefs.


    I had never expected Chris¡® choice of wife to anger him so deeply that his hair grayed in just one


    night.


    ¡°Maddie,e take a seat. Have some coffee with me.¡± Zack guided me to the coffee table and


    started brewing coffee.


    Watching his back, I noticed his posture seemed slightly hunched. He looked more like a frail old


    man when paired with his gray hair.


    ¡°Maddie, I¡¯ll make you a cup of mocha. Eddie gave me some coffee beans, and I thought I¡¯d¡­¡±


    Zack¡¯s voice abruptly stopped.


    He froze when opening the cupboard and stood unmoving.


    I quickly got up and went to him when I sensed that something was wrong. ¡°Zack¡­¡±


    My words caught in my throat when I realized why he had stopped. He had seen his gray hair in the


    reflection of the ss cupboard door.


    ¡°Zack,¡± I softly called while grabbing his arm.


    He snapped back to reality and smiled bitterly. ¡°So that¡¯s why you were crying earlier.¡±


    His smile felt like a dagger piercing my heart. ¡°Zack, how¡­ How did this happen?¡±


    I was choked up. I couldn¡¯t say more.


    ¡°I¡¯m in my fifties. It¡¯s normal for my hair to turn gray. Bree won¡¯t have to worry about some young girl


    falling for me either. Who would like me now that I look like an old man?¡± Zack joked.


    I couldn¡¯t bring myself tough. I pressed my face against his shoulder and sobbed. Zack stroked


    my hair. ¡°Alright, don¡¯t cry. Everyone gets old¡­¡±

 Redmption 199

    Redmption 199


    Yes, everyone would get old, but aging overnight was truly heartbreaking.


    Zack still made me a cup of mocha, but it tasted awfully bitter.


    ¡°Take these coffee beans home. You can brew it yourself. It¡¯s high in antioxidants.¡± Zack packed the


    leftover coffee beans for me.


    He treated me like his own daughter, and now there was an addedyer of guilt to it.


    I couldn¡¯t refuse, or it would make him feel worse.


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll ask for more when I finish it,¡± I responded in a light casual tone to ease his mood.


    ¡°Hmm, ask for anything you want. Maddie, you are my daughter, do you understand?¡± Zack spoke


    from the bottom of his heart.


    I firmly nodded. ¡°You¡¯re my father too.¡±


    When I was in school, Zack usually attended my parent¨Cteacher meetings. Sometimes Bree wanted


    to go, but Zack insisted with the excuse that given his status, the teachers in school would take me


    more seriously.


    Although my parents died early, Zack never made me feel like an orphan in front of my ssmates.


    Zack nodded hard. I nced at his hair thinking that Bree might worry. ¡°Zack, Bree is very worried


    about you. If she sees you like this¡­¡±


    ¡°I still look handsome, don¡¯t I?¡± Zack ran his fingers through his hair.


    Iughed through my tears and nodded. ¡°Yes, you do. You look the best no matter how you age.¡±


    We heard footstepsing up the stairs as we talked andughed. We heard Bree¡¯s voice before


    we saw her. ¡°I¡¯vee to realize that only Maddie can handle you, old man.¡±


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    Bree hade up to the door after she spoke. I saw her with a yful smile through the open door.


    The smile froze on her face the moment she saw Zack. She looked at him in disbelief with eyes


    widened in shock. Momentster, tears started to fall.


    Zack and I both stood up. I quickly walked to her for fear that she couldn¡¯t handle the shock.


    ¡°Bree¡­¡±


    Instead of looking at me, Bree kept staring at Zack¡¯s hair.


    Zack walked over and wiped her tears. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Do you think I look ugly?¡±


    Bree¡¯s eyes were fixed on Zack¡¯s hair. She raised her trembling hand after a long while. ¡°Your


    hair¡­¡±


    ¡°I now have more gray hair than you do. You don¡¯t have to worry about yours anymore, right?¡± Zack


    joked while wiping her tears.


    Bree¡¯s tears wouldn¡¯t stop as she trembled. She was in so much pain.


    It was the first time I had seen he cry so bitterly.


    Zack had always doted on her. She rarely shed tears, but even while crying uncontrobly, her


    hands kept stroking Zack¡¯s hair.


    Seeing this, I quietly went downstairs.


    ¡±


    Conrad saw me. ¡°What happened? I heard my mom crying.¡±


    ¡°Zack¡­ His hair grayed overnight.¡± My words shocked Conrad, and his eyes widened. Moments


    later, he lowered his head and fell silent.


    I didn¡¯t know how tofort him. Although I came with a purpose, I was no longer in the mood to


    execute my ns.


    ¡°I¡¯m heading back,¡± I told Conrad.


    He nced upstairs. ¡°I¡¯ll see you out.¡±


    I got in the car and tried to start it, but the engine wouldn¡¯t turn on.


    I then remembered that beforeing over, I had mechanics at the repair shop tamper with the car


    so I could ride in Zack¡¯s.


    ¡°Has your car broken down?¡± Conrad noticed.


    I couldn¡¯t meet his eyes out of guilt and softly murmured a confirmation.


    ¡°I¡¯ll call someone to fix it. Get Stewart to send you home,¡± Conrad suggested. Stewart Glover was


    Zack¡¯s chauffeur.

 Redmption 200

    Redmption 200


    I had spent so much effort trying to get a ride in the car. It was a surprise that my wish was easily


    aplished. But to get the address I wanted required a more detailed n.


    ¡°Stewart, can you pull over? I feel sick, and I need to vomit,¡± I said, feigning difort when I


    spotted a pharmacy along the way.


    ¡°Sure, sure,¡± Stewart replied as he nced at me through the rearview mirror.


    The car stopped. Stewart nervously checked on me. ¡°Maddie, how are you feeling? Do you need to


    go to the hospital?¡±


    ¡°I think it¡¯s the coffee Zack made that upset my stomach.¡± I leveraged Zack¡¯s name to make Stewart


    more concerned.


    I clutched my belly and continued, ¡°Stewart, could you get me some omeprazole? I might feel better


    after taking a pill.¡±


    Stewart nodded repeatedly, but he still looked worried. ¡°Maybe we should go to the hospital?¡±


    I didn¡¯t speak, but Stewart instantly understood.


    He knew my status well over the years at the Gildon family. Even when I was no longer with Chris,


    he wouldn¡¯t dare to take me lightly.


    Stewart quickly got out of the car. I added to buy more time, ¡°Stewart, could you also get me a bottle


    of water?¡±


    ¡°Cold water makes stomach aches worse. There¡¯s warm water in the car. I¡¯ll pour you a cup when I


    get back.¡± Stewart was still worriedly looking over as he headed toward the pharmacy.


    I quietly got up after seeing Stewart rush off. I leaned over and opened the navigation route history.


    It was nerve¨Cwracking to engage in such stealthy activities. My heart was pounding.


    I feared Stewart might return any time, so I kept ncing outside while browsing the navigation


    records. Fortunately, getting to the pharmacy required crossing a railing, so Stewart would take


    some time.


    I quickly skimmed through the navigation routes. Strangely, I couldn¡¯t find it even after going through


    routes from a month ago.


    Could I have been mistaken?


    I refused to give up and kept searching, but Stewart was already returning with the medicine.


    My heartbeat elerated as I alternated between looking out for Stewart and scrolling through the


    records. Suddenly, a private route entered my sight.


    Normal routes wouldn¡¯t be marked private unless someone wanted to keep them secret.


    thad a hunch that this was the sanatorium I was looking for. But since it was private, I needed a


    password which I had no clue about.


    Had Stewart set the password since he drove the car?


    I pondered for several seconds and decided that Zack had most likelye up with the password.


    After all, he owned the car and decided where it went. Stewart was just a chauffeur following


    instructions.


    With that, I was going to input the password but refrained from making blind guesses. I had three


    chances, so if I got them wrong, it would lock and alert Zack.


    217


    What could Zack¡¯s password be?


    As I mulled it over, I watched Stewart approach. He had crossed the railing and was less than two


    minutes away, but I had yet to figure out the password.


    I broke out in a nervous sweat. If I missed the opportunity, it would be harder to get a second try.


    I decided to give it a shot. Since Zack loved Bree, I tried Bree¡¯s birthday. But it wasn¡¯t the password.


    I gasped. Stewart was now less than a hundred meters away.


    I closed my eyes and concentrated. I believed the password was rted to Bree, so I tried their


    wedding anniversary next. Again, it was the wrong password.


    Fear and urgency rose within me. I had onest chance. Another attempt would lock the address,


    but if I didn¡¯t try, I would lose the opportunity.


    Stewart was less than fifty meters away. I could almost even sense his gaze through the tinted


    windows.


    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    I desperately searched my memory and recalled something Chris had mentioned. He told me that


    his parents never yed favorites and used both his and Conrad¡¯s birthdays as bank passwords.

 Redmption 201

    Redmption 201


    I began tapping in thest two digits of their birthdays, but then I figured that it was too easy of a


    guess. Also, Zack and Bree seemed to like Chris a little more, I put Chris¡® birthday in the front, then


    Conrad¡¯s at


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    the back.


    I felt my blood pressure spiking as I tapped in thest digit. My heart felt like it was going to leap out


    of my chest.


    Stewart was only ten meters away from me now. I stared straight at the screen, not daring to even


    look at


    him,


    The screen lit up. It was the right password. Immediately, I saw that the hidden route was headed


    toward Sylking Sanatorium.


    I knew about Sylking Sanatorium. It was one of the sanatoriums I was investigating.


    My efforts weren¡¯t in vain after all.


    Now that I had gotten my answer, I sighed in relief and deleted my search history. Just then,


    Stewart opened the door.


    His


    gaze fell


    on my hands, then at the map on the screen. My hands were trembling, and I had broken out in a


    cold sweat.


    ¡°What were you doing, Maddie?¡± Stewart asked,


    I swallowed the lump in my throat and came up with an excuse. ¡°I wanted to put on some music,


    but I wasn¡¯t sure how.¡±


    Stewart looked at me doubtfully, obviously not buying it.


    I told him I was feeling sick. It was unlikely for a sick person to want to listen to music.


    It was a terrible lie, but there was no going back. I had to keep it up. ¡°It hurt so badly that I asked my


    doctor friend what to do, and she said that listening to calming music would help. She also wants


    me to get it checked out at the hospital because it could be acute enteritis or appendicitis.¡±


    I felt guilty telling lies. Since when had I be such a liar?


    But there was no way around it. I had to find out if my father¡¯s death was an ident.


    ¡°If that¡¯s the case¡­¡± Stewart said as he handed me the pills. ¡°I¡¯ll send you to the hospital. I¡¯ll put on


    whatever music you want.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Stewart,¡± I said, taking the pills. I popped one into my mouth, not even taking a sip of


    water to go with it.


    Eating unprescribed medicine was bad, but a pill like this wasn¡¯t going to kill anybody.


    ¡°Here¡¯s some water, Maddie. Why did you take it without water?¡± Stewart said, immediately handing


    me a cup of water.


    took two swigs from it. At once, bitterness flooded my tongue and my mouth.


    ¡°You¡¯re probably in a lot of pain right now. You¡¯re sweating. Going to the hospital is the right choice.¡±


    Stewart nced at me as he drove quickly


    My heart began calming down when we finally reached the hospital.


    Stewart insisted on sending me in. He said he was afraid that something would happen to me. I had


    no


    Chap 201


    DZ


    choice but to let him escort me to the emergency ward. Then, I secretly texted Lisa, asking for her


    help.


    Thank God she wasn¡¯t due for any surgeries today. She rushed over the moment she could,


    shielding me from Stewart¡¯s insistence.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, Stewart. Please don¡¯t tell Zack and Bree,¡± I said before he left.


    He merely murmured in response, but I knew that he was going to tell them anyway.


    After he left, Lisa looked at me dubiously. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±


    I told her everything. Her expression turned grim. ¡°Are you sure you want to investigate this,


    Maddie? Aren¡¯t you going to think things through?¡±


    ¡°About what?¡± I asked, confused.


    Lisa said nothing. It took me a while to figure it out. ¡°Are you afraid that I¡¯ll link it to Zack


    somehow?¡±


    Lisa did not deny it. My heart sank.


    If my father¡¯s death had something to do with Arthur, a major client in Gildon Corporation¡­ My body


    turned ice cold. I didn¡¯t dare to think about it any further.

 Redmption 202

    Redmption 202


    Zack and Bree were really good to me. The thought ofbeling them as suspects filled me with


    guilt.


    But even Lisa was having these thoughts.


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    My heart felt like it was freefalling from a hundred meters above. Panic washed over me.


    ¡°I have to.¡±


    The more my suspicions grew, the stronger my conviction to get to the bottom of all this. It was for


    my father¡¯s sake, and also to prove Zack¡¯s innocence.


    Lisa could read my mind. She said nothing, merely telling me that she was here for me.


    Her words told me that she already had an answer in mind. However, only the truth about that day


    would satiate my curiosity.


    I hailed a cab after leaving the emergency ward. To my surprise, Stewart was still there. He talked


    on the phone as he walked, carrying the medicine with him. ¡°Yeah. She fiddled around with the


    screen. She said she was trying to get some music ying.¡±


    A chill ran down my spine, despite the hot sun above me.


    It was obvious who Stewart was reporting all this to. But why was he doing that? If there was


    nothing to hide, simply fiddling around with the screen wouldn¡¯t be something that needed


    reporting.


    My mind was in turmoil. I stared as he walked away, leaving my line of vision.


    I wasted no time in getting the cab to drive me to Sylking Sanatorium. I feared that if I got there too


    late, I wouldn¡¯t be able to find what I was looking for.


    However, the security at Sylking Sanatorium was really strict. I was stopped by the guards before I


    even got the chance to go in. They asked me to provide them with the name of the patient I was


    seeing, and the room number.


    I knew who I was looking for, but I didn¡¯t know the number of the room that he was in.


    Besides, I didn¡¯t dare to mention Arthur¡¯s name. If the guards called him to make sure, I would be


    completely exposed.


    In the end, I said that my family had sent me here for a consultation. They rejected me, saying that


    this ce didn¡¯t ept consultations. I had to have an appointment beforehand to go in.


    I knew what they meant very well. This wasn¡¯t a ce where someone could just waltz in.


    Sylking Sanatorium was definitely not like other ces, I couldn¡¯t even go in.


    As I thought about ways to get in, a car drove over with its window rolled down. I saw who it was


    immediately.


    I remembered his bald head all too well. It was the man who had attacked Brandon with his army of


    men.


    ¡°I¡¯m headed to Mr. Griffins,¡± the bald guy said.


    The guards remembered him and immediately opened the gates.


    Griffins was not amonst name. He was probably going to see Arthur.


    That meant that he worked for Arthur, and since he had attacked Brandon, it meant that Arthur was


    the man that Brandon had sniffed out. Could it be that Arthur also had something to do with


    Brandon¡¯s father¡¯s death?


    There were just too many coincidences.


    Although I hadn¡¯t met Arthur, I had at least seen the bald man.


    I went home after that. On the way there, I received a call from Bree. ¡°Maddie, Stewart said that


    you¡¯re sick. Are you alright?¡±


    Her voice was hoarse. I remembered how Zack looked when I left, with his head of white hair. I


    knew she had been crying.


    My heart was in limbo right now. Although I didn¡¯t want to cast my suspicions on them, I still felt


    wary of them. I was doing my best not to overthink things, though. ¡°I¡¯m fine now, Bree. I had an


    upset stomach, that¡¯s all. I feel better after taking the medicine.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good. Zack and I are very worried. We wanted to visit you in the hospital.¡± Bree¡¯s words


    were making me feel incredibly guilty. They still cared for me even though they felt miserable.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, Bree. Take care of Zack and yourself. And tell him to take it easy.¡± I felt sad thinking about


    Zack¡¯s white hair.


    Bree sighed.


    I couldn¡¯t think of anything else to say. Wepsed into silence.


    Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out!

 Redmption 203

    Redmption 203


    The silence was suffocating.


    As I was thinking of something to say that we could use to end the call, Bree¡¯s voice piped up again.


    In a low voice, she said, ¡°It¡¯s all because of that woman. I will never forgive her for this.¡±


    Bree sounded like she was gnashing her teeth as she said that. It was my first time hearing her like


    this.


    At once, a shiver ran down my spine. I had no idea what to say.


    ¡°Maddie,¡± she said. ¡°Come look after him when you¡¯re free. Only you can make him feel a little


    better.¡±


    FOR


    Her words ced a tremendous pressure on me, but I agreed anyway.


    Hanging up, Iy back against the seat weakly. It felt like something was pressing against my chest,


    making me unable to breathe.


    After getting home, I curled up on the sofa, wracking my brain. All the evidence pointed toward


    Arthur, However, Arthur and Zack were business acquaintances. What was even more suspicious


    was the fact that the road to Arthur¡¯s sanatorium was marked as a hidden route.


    Why would it be hidden if they had nothing to hide?


    There were a million questions in my head that I didn¡¯t want to think about, but I just couldn¡¯t help


    myself. My head was close to exploding.


    I grabbed a pillow and buried my head in it. This was my own personal brand of torture. I used it


    whenever I felt frustrated or stuck about something.


    When I was about to suffocate, someone knocked on the door.


    At first, I thought it was my mind ying tricks on me. Then, someone called my name.


    I released the pillow and walked toward the door.


    It might be daytime, but there was still a safety risk. I asked warily, ¡°Who is it?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s me, Brandon.¡±


    I was stunned. Why was he here? Did something happen?


    I opened the door to see him standing in a ck T¨Cshirt and construction pants. He looked good.


    ¡°Why did youe here?¡± I asked, stunned.


    Then, something warm pressed against my forehead. It was his hand. The warmth from his skin


    comforted me, providing me with a sense of safety that was hard to put into words.


    ¡°You¡¯re not feverish anymore.¡± He raised the bag in his hand slightly.


    It was filled with vegetables. The leaves were green, indicating that they were freshly¨Cbought.


    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    ¡°How does a sd and steak for lunch sound?¡± Brandon asked. He gave the impression of a


    considerate husband.


    I pursed my lips. ¡°It¡¯s too much trouble. I¡¯ll just order take¡­¡±


    Before I could finish my sentence, Brandon cut me off. You can¡¯t have anything too greasy right


    now.¡±


    I wasn¡¯t even aware of when Brandon entered my house. When I came to, he was already in the


    kitchen.


    I would never be able to repay him for all the kindness be had shown me.


    I held a ss of water and walked into the kitchen, leaning against the door as I watched him busy


    himself with an apron tied around his waist.


    ¡°Why do you have the time toe here? Have you settled things at the yground?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Almost.¡± He chopped up the vegetables expertly. There was no need to look at the vegetables.


    Based on the sounds of the chopping board alone, one could tell that he had exceptional skill.


    ¡°Tell me when you¡¯re done,¡± I reminded him.


    ¡°Alright,¡± he replied.


    I swallowed my saliva, resting my gaze on him. I sized him up. I had to admit, he was a snack no


    matter which angle I looked at him.


    His curvy ass was sorely tempting.


    I ced my focus on the mole on his neck to prevent myself from having any perverse thoughts.


    ¡°We didn¡¯t call today, did we, Brandon?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°How did you know I was at home?¡± I asked.


    I had just thought about it. I didn¡¯t tell him that I was home, not even Kara, but he came knocking


    with a bag full of fresh produce. He obviously knew that I was home.

 Redmption 204

    Redmption 204


    ¡°I didn¡¯t,¡± he quickly said.


    I smiled. ¡°Why would youe knocking if you didn¡¯t?¡±


    Brandon moved the chopped vegetables to a te. ¡°The olddy downstairs told me. She said my


    girlfriend was home.¡±


    I was speechless. I sipped my tea and simply admired him as he worked. Just then, Brandon turned


    to look at me. ¡°What are you so suspicious of?¡± he asked.


    I gave a faint smile. ¡°I think¡­ that you¡¯ve been following me.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± His forehead creased.


    ¡°I was joking. I know you don¡¯t have that much time on your hands.¡± With that, I returned to the


    living room, sipping my tea.


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    After a few more sips, I scrolled on my phone. Soon after, I felt my eyelids drooping, and I gradually


    fell asleep.


    I dreamed that the bald man had captured me because Arthur hadmanded him to kill me. The


    bald man began thrusting a knife into me, and I shook my head violently.


    ¡°Mae!¡±


    ¡°Mae, wake up!¡±


    I was woken up. My eyes shot open, and I saw Brandon staring at me anxiously as his hands


    steadied my head.


    ¡°Did you have a nightmare?¡± he asked in a low voice-


    I was still in shock from the dream. My breaths were shallow. At the thought of the bald man, I


    grabbed Brandon¡¯s hands and said, ¡°The bald man who attacked you the other day is working for


    Arthur, I saw him


    Brandon frowned even deeper. ¡°How did you know?¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I saw him.¡± I tightened my grip on his hands, then slowly released it.


    ¡°These are my personal affairs, Mae. Don¡¯t get yourself involved, okay?¡± he said sternly.


    I wanted to tell him that I wasn¡¯t involving myself in his affairs. I had merely bumped into the bald


    man in my pursuit of the truth behind my father¡¯s death.


    But before I could speak, Brandon continued, ¡°Arthur is a really dangerous person. You mustn¡¯t do


    anything to him. Got it?¡±


    Brandon¡¯s expression left me no choice but to nod solemnly. The words I wanted to say were stuck


    in my throat.


    He grazed my forehead with his calloused fingers, wiping off the sweat that had broken out during


    my nightmare. ¡°Go take a sip of water. The food is ready.¡±


    He got up to leave, but I pulled him back. ¡°You have to be careful, Brandon.¡±


    Of course I knew that Arthur was dangerous.


    He was a huge client in thepany. People gossiped about him, specting how he had


    managed to build his empire within a few years.


    Brandon stared at my hand, his gaze softening. ¡°Okay.


    My lips moved slightly. He bent over, adjusting my position on the couch. Then, he patted my head.


    His movements were soft and gentle, quelling all the fear that I had felt in my dream.


    He went into the kitchen and brought out two tes of food. I sipped the water on the table and


    stood up.


    In an instant, I felt light¨Cheaded.


    After yesterday¡¯s sickness, today¡¯s investigative work, and this dream, I felt like something in me


    had been hollowed out.


    Brandon looked back, sensing my unease. ¡°Are you dizzy?¡±


    I wanted to deny it, but he had alreadye over to prop me up and lead me to the washroom.


    After sending me in, he walked out and said, ¡°I¡¯m right here. Call out to me if you need help.


    He probably thought that I needed to relieve myself, but I didn¡¯t. I stared at myself in front of the


    sink, realizing that my face had turned ashen. I looked terrible. My hair was all tousled, too.


    I was a mess. I looked nothing like how beautiful I usually was.


    Brandon had seen me in this state. He would probably turn his nose up at me.


    At that thought, I immediately tidied up my hair and massaged my face.

 Redmption 205

    Redmption 205


    Girls tend to want to look nice for the boys they like. When I did that, I was certain that I had


    developed feelings for Brandon.


    I washed my hands and walked out. Brandon immediately came over to help me.


    I feigned an attitude and ducked. ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡±


    He didn¡¯t force it. He followed me to the dining table. Besides the steak and the vegetables that he


    said he¡¯d make, there was also a te of mashed potatoes and a te of cut¨Cup fruit.


    The food looked really appetizing.


    ¡°Your sister must be really lucky, Brandon,¡± I said, offering him my highest praise.


    Brandon said nothing. I remembered that his sister had heart disease. Suddenly, an idea shed


    into my mind. ¡°Where do you live? I mean, where does your sister live?¡±


    He looked at me, still saying nothing.


    I asked again, smiling, ¡°Why are you hiding it even from me? Are you afraid that I¡¯ll hurt her?¡±


    ¡°Palria. It¡¯s a small city south of Amaty. Brandon¡¯s answer was detailed.¡±


    Inodded lightly. Then, I said, ¡°My boss felt bad for me and gave me two days of leave.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± Brandon reacted nonchntly.


    Brandon was an extremely even¨Ctempered person. I had never seen him get emotional.


    As expected of someone who was born and raised in this country. He was just different from


    everyone! else.


    When I thought of my time off, I remembered the mysterious boss. I brought it up to Brandon. ¡°Why


    do you think he¡¯s so good to me? I just joined the workforce. I have nothing to show yet.¡±


    With that in mind, I thought of Chris¡® business getting instantly rejected by the boss.


    Truth be told, I would have epted the offer if the boss hadn¡¯t said anything. After all, Chris¡®


    company was actually not bad. Working with him would benefit thepany. Only a fool would say


    no to that amount of money.


    Unfortunately, my boss had chosen to be a fool. He had sent away the money that had appeared on


    his doorstep.


    ¡°Hmm.¡± With the way Brandon spoke, one would think that his words cost money. He was stingy


    with his words.


    I was already used to it. I leaned in and said, ¡°Do you think that the boss is being so nice because


    he secretly wants me?¡±


    Brandon had two spoonfuls of mashed potato before replying, ¡°Maybe.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± This time, I was the one who yed dumb.


    Brandon rested his gaze on my face. ¡°You have the looks for it.¡±


    smiled. Was heplimenting me?


    ¡°Are you dating me and being good to me because of that?¡± I asked.


    212


    Brandon clenched his jaw. ¡°Partly. But that¡¯s not the main reason why.¡±


    ¡°What other reasons are there? We¡¯re not that close.¡± When we were first seeing each other, he


    said that he wanted to marry me. We honestly didn¡¯t even know each other then.


    Brandon looked at me as I waited for his reply, but in the end, he trailed his gaze down to my te.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you finishing that?¡±


    I still had a few bites of food left on my te, but I wasn¡¯t one to waste. Besides, it tasted really


    good.


    ¡°I am.¡± I ate a piece of lettuce.


    Brandon got up, clearing his dishes. He was obviously not intending on continuing the conversation.


    He was only holding his share of the tes. I said, ¡°I¡¯m not going to eat the other stuff. You can


    clear them up. Could you also clean up? I don¡¯t like my kitchen being messy.¡±


    He murmured in response and began washing up in the kitchen. I finished my food and then went


    into the kitchen to hand him my te.


    When he took it, I said, ¡°You can take the rest of the groceries home. I¡¯m going to travel


    somewhere.¡± His movements paused briefly. Without even asking where I was going, he said,


    ¡°Okay.¡±


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    His answer was swift and to the point. It made my chest feel suppressed, like I was unable to


    breathe.


    I felt really ufortable. I walked out and said, ¡°Close the door when you leave.¡±


    I went into my bedroom and opened my ticketing app, booking a train ride to somewhere far away.

 Redmption 206

    Redmption 206


    I left home that very night. Brandon wasn¡¯t around, because his windows were pitch ck.


    When Conrad called me, I was on the train.


    I had chosen to take the train instead of an airne. Although the ride would take an extra two


    hours, 1 liked the feeling of traveling on solid ground aspared to flying in the air.


    ¡°Your car is ready, Maddie. Where are you? I¡¯ll send it over to you.¡± Conrad¡¯s voice soothed people.


    I looked at the people around me, who were all busy scrolling on their phones. ¡°Just leave it with


    the mechanic. I¡¯ll bring it back myself.¡±


    Conrad was silent for a while. I added, ¡°I know where it is.¡±


    I knew that the Gildons sent their cars to a specific mechanic for repairs.


    ¡°Mr. Howell said that your car¡¯s been tampered with.¡± Conrad¡¯s words made me pause. I felt guilty,


    because I was the one who had told them to do it.


    ¡°Really?¡± I asked, feigning surprise.


    ¡°Has someone else driven your car, Maddie?¡± Conrad asked,


    I knew that he was just worried about me. I pursed my lip, wondering how I¡¯d answer his question.


    Then, he said, ¡°The person who did that didn¡¯t intend to harm you. He just wanted to stir up a little


    trouble.. Thank goodness it stopped working only after you got home. It would be a nuisance if it


    stopped somewhere else.¡±


    Since he had already put it that way, I no longer had toe up with an excuse. ¡°Got it.¡±


    Conrad was silent for a while. Then, he said, ¡°Are you outside? I¡¯m hearing some background


    noise.¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± I gave him a one¨Cword reply.


    Conrad could probably tell that I wasn¡¯t really in the mood to talk. ¡°Be careful,¡± he said softly.


    He hung up, and I sighed.


    Lately, people have been saying that we should cut out the unnecessary parts of our lives. One of


    the things they mentioned was superfluous social rtionships. I think I got it now.


    Socializing and maintaining rtionships were tiring.


    The more they cared, the more exhausted I was.


    Despite that, I sent Lisa a message telling her that I had gone out.


    She was busy saving lives all day. It was no surprise that she didn¡¯t respond to my message. For


    some reason, it dawned on me that that was why she never dated.


    She had said before that when she was busy, she wouldn¡¯t even have the time to look at her


    phone. No one would want to date her.


    If they did, he might end up being unable to wait for that long. After all, rtionships required


    sacrifice andpromise.


    If things were going to end anyway, it might be better not to date at all.


    I used to call her a hermit. However, I understood her reasoning now.


    I took thest


    ain to Amaty. Obviously, I intended to go to Palria to see Brandon¡¯s sister.


    I decided to do this out of impulse. This was the most straightforward way to understand Brandon


    better. I admitted that I was beginning to develop feelings for Brandon. However, I had been hurt


    before. I was not going to start falling for someone that easily. If it was to happen, I would want to


    be in control.


    It was night time when I arrived at Amaty. I didn¡¯t go to the courtyard because I was afraid that Mrs.


    Rhodes would keep me there. Instead, I went to a hotel to stay the night.


    The next day, I arrived at Palria at 10:00 am. I found Brandon¡¯s house at once.


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    I stood outside the yard. I was already regretting my decision toe here.


    I regretteding here toote.


    This was the yard of my dreams. There were trees, flowers, a vineyard, and a swing. Moss covered


    the brick walls of the house, and fairy lights decorated the cobblestoned path leading to it. Little


    lanterns hung on poles and swayed in the air.


    It was a scene right out of a fairytale. There was even a river in front of the yard, and a bridge


    connecting both sides of the path. Someone was scrubbing their clothes on the bridge.


    I wouldn¡¯t even have known that a ce like this could exist if I weren¡¯t staring at it with my own


    eyes. Words could not describe how beautiful the ce was.

 Redmption 207

    Redmption 207


    It was the perfect ce for a destination holiday.


    As I lost myself in a daydream, someone asked, ¡°Who are you looking for, Miss?¡±


    I turned, seeing a girl in a white dress. Her braided hair rested against her chest. Her eyes sparkled,


    as if they were made of the river.


    ¡°Are you Miss Howell?¡± I asked.


    Surprise crossed her face. ¡°Yes. Are you here for my brother?¡±


    Once she said that, I knew for certain that she was Brandon¡¯s sister. To be frank, they didn¡¯t look


    anything. alike, but both of them were stunning. Brandon¡¯s charm belonged to that of a masculine


    warrior, while his sister shared the soft ethereal features of a fairy.


    ¡°Yes. I¡¯m his friend, Mae.¡± I extended my hand toward her.


    She was stunned for a moment. Then, she shook it. ¡°I¡¯m Ellie.¡±


    She looked pleasantly surprised and timid. I smiled. ¡°May Ie in?¡±


    Ellie came to her senses and let go of my hand, ushering me in as she mumbled to herself, ¡°He


    didn¡¯t even give me a heads up. I haven¡¯t cleaned up or anything.¡±


    ¡°He didn¡¯t know I wasing. I came here behind his back.¡± My words took her by surprise, I


    winked at her. ¡°Don¡¯t tell him.¡±


    Ellie froze for a moment, then nodded. I was looking around the yard, taking everything in greedily.


    My adoration for it grew by the second.


    ¡°Sit anywhere you like, Mae. I¡¯ll make you a cup of tea. Ellie was a warm host.


    I didn¡¯t want to tire her out. ¡°It¡¯s alright. I¡¯m not thirsty.¡±


    She smiled sweetly, going into the house. Soon after, she took out a little teapot and a small tray of


    dried flowers.


    The teapot she was using was a design that was released earlier this year. I smiled. ¡°Did your


    brother buy that?¡±


    ¡°Yes. He really cares about me a lot. He¡¯d give me all the best things that the world has to offer.¡±


    Ellie smiled proudly as she said that.


    She sat down to make the tea, looking out the yard. ¡°He built the yard for me. He said that it would


    be good for my condition.¡±


    I was


    was shocked. The yard definitely took considerable energy and care to make.


    Brandon evidently loved his sister very much.


    ¡°The water in this tea is from the river. I froze it after collecting it. The tea tastes better when it¡¯s


    made from the river¡¯s water.¡± She handed me a ss jar.


    I touched it. It was cold.


    She really lived her days like a fairy.


    I knew it was hard for her to collect water from the river. But despite that, she was using it to make


    tea for me. I could tell that she liked me.


    Chumper 207


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    I liked her, too. It was an instantaneous thing.


    Sometimes, you were able to tell within a nce if someone would get along with you. Ellie was


    someone


    like that.


    ¡°You¡¯re really pretty,¡± Ellie said. She was beautiful, inside and out.


    ¡°You¡¯re prettier than I am. You¡¯re like a fairy that lives in the woods,¡± I said, unable to stop myself


    from praising her.


    She smiled shyly. She blinked, saying, ¡°Are


    you my brother¡¯s girlfriend?¡±


    Eager anticipation filled her eyes. She would be disappointed if I denied it.


    As I was about to answer, she said, ¡°You¡¯re my brother¡¯s first female friend. You must be his


    girlfriend. If not, he wouldn¡¯t tell you where I lived.¡±


    Ellie¡¯s words made me stunned. Had Brandon anticipated that I¡¯de here? Had I walked right


    into another one of his traps?


    But this trap didn¡¯t make me feel annoyed at all. In fact, I felt rather happy.


    I was happy to meet Ellie and see this beautiful oasis outside of the city.


    ¡°Yes, I am. Do you like your sister¨Cinw?¡± I answered her question unabashedly, looking at her


    eagerly.

 Redmption 208

    Redmption 208


    ¡°Thank you for epting him and loving him, Mae.¡± As she said that, she handed me a cup of tea,


    her eyes shining eagerly.


    At once, tears pricked my eyes. However, I kept my smile on my face. ¡°You¡¯re making it sound like


    no one wants him.¡±


    Ellie pursed her lips. I took the teacup and sipped from it.


    The fragrant tea filled my mouth. It was my first time tasting such a refreshing cup of tea. River


    water really did taste different


    ¡°My brother refused to look for a girlfriend for my sake. He was afraid that his future wife wouldn¡¯t be


    good to me, and thought that I¡­ Ellie trailed off.


    I suddenly understood why she couldn¡¯t seem to say it. She was afraid that Brandon hadn¡¯t given


    me the heads up about her illness. She was afraid that if I knew about her condition, I would think


    less of Brandon.


    I took another sip of the tea and said, ¡°That you have a weak immune system? Look at me. Do I


    seem like such a superficial person to you?¡±


    My words put a smile on her face. She sighed in relief. Did he tell you about my condition, Mae?¡±


    she asked.


    ¡°Of course. Why else would Ie all the way here? I wanted toe see you, and¡­¡± I looked


    around, shaking my head lightly.


    Ellie stared at me curiously with those big beautiful eyes of hers. ¡°And what?¡±


    I could tell that she was a sensitive person, especially when it came to her brother. I told her what I


    had in mind. ¡°I wanted to take you back. But now that I¡¯ve seen this beautiful life of yours, I feel like I


    don¡¯t have the right to take you away.¡±


    Although she could stay at my ce and she¡¯d never have to suffer a day in her life, that house


    would feel like a cage to her. How could she feel free and at ease in a ce like that?


    I understood why Brandon left her alone here now. This ce was full of nature. It was calming and


    soothing.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go with you if you take me,¡± Ellie said, quickly agreeing to it.


    I was stunned. ¡°Won¡¯t you miss this ce?¡±


    She held up her cup and sipped on it, saying nothing.


    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    I could sense her hesitation. She couldn¡¯t bear to leave the freedom she had here, but she seemed


    to want to leave as well.


    Perhaps it was just human nature. It wasn¡¯t greediness, just human desire to explore the things that


    were beyond our reach


    Ellie¡¯s condition made her unable to go everywhere freely like the other girls. Maybe the beautiful


    life she had that I envied was actually her cage.


    ¡°I want to treat my illness so that I can get better, and Brandon won¡¯t have to worry about me,¡± Ellie


    said.


    Since she brought up her illness, I could talk about it. ¡°Hasn¡¯t he brought you to the doctor before?¡±


    I remembered the promise that Brandon and I had made. If I paid for his sister¡¯s treatment, he


    would pay


    me back with his body.


    ¡°He has, but they all said that I need a heart transnt. Ellie bit her lip. ¡°But it¡¯s really risky. On top


    of that. my blood type is really rare. Brandon doesn¡¯t want to take the risk.¡±


    My hands were trembling slightly as I held the cup. I didn¡¯t expect that Brandon would stop Ellie


    from getting the transnt due to the risks. He was too afraid of losing her. Why else would he not


    want to take the risk?


    Even without the surgery, Ellie¡¯s life was still in constant danger. She couldn¡¯t get shocked or


    agitated She could only continue living like this


    Although there was hope for the surgery, the slightest error could mean that he would lose his


    sister


    forever.


    It felt like something had stabbed me in the heart. It throbbed painfully.


    ¡°Your brother¡¯s afraid of something happening to you,¡± I said, voicing out Brandon¡¯s worries Ellie


    nodded. ¡°I know, but I want to get well. I don¡¯t want him to worry about me all day¡±


    Act Fast Free Bonus Time is Running Out!

 Redmption 209

    Redmption 209


    Then, Ellie looked at me, her face beaming. ¡°Do you have an idea, Mae?¡±


    I was quiet.


    I did have an idea, but this was something that even Brandon wouldn¡¯t dare to risk. How could I do


    it?


    It would be wonderful if the surgery seeded. But if it failed, Brandon being unable to forgive me


    would be the least of our problems. He would die of misery.


    ¡°You don¡¯t, do you?¡± Ellie Interpreted my silence as the absence of hope.


    She turned her gaze downward, disappointment crossing her face. ¡°Even Brandon doesn¡¯t dare to


    do it because of the dangers involved. I know that my condition isn¡¯t something that people have a


    lot of faith.


    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    in.¡±


    She sighed, looking up at me with a smile. She was no shapeshifter. She simply didn¡¯t want her


    feelings to affect my mood.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, Mae. I¡¯m happy now. I¡¯ll just live until the day I die. Who knows, I might even make it


    hundredth birthday.¡±


    The more she spoke, the more my heart ached for her.


    to


    my


    How could I let such a beautiful girl lose hope? Iforted her, saying, ¡°I have a friend who¡¯s a


    doctor. She studied abroad. Now, she¡¯s an obstetrician and gynecologist. However, she has a lot of


    friends in the medical field. She has cardiologist friends, too.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Ellie¡¯s eyes lit up at once, shimmering with hope.


    ¡°Of course. I came here to have a look at your condition.¡± I might beforting her, but I was also


    nting the possibility of surgery in her head.


    Despite me understanding the risks involved, I felt unable to resist the eager anticipation in Ellie¡¯s


    eyes.


    Life wasn¡¯t about a destination for her. She merely wanted to live a healthy life.


    Although her life was a utopia to most and her yard looked straight from a fairytale, she yearned to


    explore the world beyond those fences.


    She probably wanted to climb mountains, swim in the ocean, ride bicycles, and run around freely.


    She wanted to enjoy life with the people she loved.


    But with her weak heart, she was unable to do it all. She had no choice but to be kept here, far


    away from the city. She couldn¡¯t even fall in love, marry, or have children.


    It might appear to be freedom, but it was actually extreme loneliness.


    How else would she have all that time to collect her own water? She was so lonely that it was the


    only way she could spend her time.


    ¡°Really? Thank you, Mae.¡± She held up her teacup as a sign of her gratitude.


    *Really,¡± I assured her.


    That single word of mine seemed to have illuminated her entire mind. She was beyond happy.


    She sat with me in the yard, drinking tea. Then, she brought me into the house and into Brandon¡¯s


    room. You can stay in my brother¡¯s room, Mae. Look at how neatly I kept it.¡±


    It was certainly neat. There was a beautiful view of flowers right outside the window.


    I put down my suitcase and looked at the way the room was decorated. There were a few


    photographs on the walls.


    I had photographs at home, too. They were left behind by my parents. I didn¡¯t think that there would


    be photographs here. I walked over curiously.


    ¡°My brother says that these are photos of our parents when they were younger, but I don¡¯t


    remember anything anymore,¡± Ellie exined.


    These photos were taken with exactly the techniques as the ones that my parents had.


    Brandon¡¯s mother was holding a young child, and his father was holding an older child. I could tell at


    once that the kids were Brandon and Ellie.


    ¡°Brandon said that our father left after this photo was taken.¡± Ellie¡¯s words made me feel upset.


    I didn¡¯t want it to affect my mood, so I turned my attention to another photograph. It was of Brandon


    carrying a girl. The photo was shot from the back.


    ¡°Is this you and your brother?¡± I asked Ellie.


    Ellie smiled. ¡°Of course not. That¡¯s his¡­¡±


    She paused. I saw her sticking out her tongue, as if realizing that she¡¯d said something she


    shouldn¡¯t have.


    I wasn¡¯t dumb. I smiled. ¡°Was that his first love?¡±

 Redmption 210

    Redmption 210


    Ellie¡¯s face turned pale with fear as soon as I spoke. She quickly shook her head while her grip on


    my arm tightened. ¡°Mae, you¡¯ve got it all wrong. That¡¯s not it at all. Bran has never liked any other


    girl. You¡¯re the first one.¡±


    I knew Ellie was frightened as I saw her lips turning pale. I realized that I shouldn¡¯t scare her. After


    all, Ellie had a weak heart and couldn¡¯t handle the stress.


    I reached out and tapped Ellie¡¯s nose lightly. ¡°Look at you, getting all worked up. I know, Brandon


    already told me he¡¯s never had a girlfriend.¡±


    Ellie nodded before adding. ¡°He¡¯s never liked any other girl either.¡±


    Ellie was truly innocent. Her heart was pure and untouched by the world. I couldn¡¯t help but think


    that when Ellie eventually fell in love, she wouldn¡¯t be able to tolerate even the slightest wickedness


    in the boy she chose.


    However, in today¡¯s world, how much innocence could Ellie really find?


    Suddenly, I felt a pang of worry. What if she got hurt when she fell in love?


    It was silly of me to worry so much. However, something about Ellie made me feel close to her even


    though we had just met. It was like Ellie was my own little sister.


    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    ¡°I know. Your brother is as innocent as a nk sheet of paper. I¡¯ll treasure him,¡± I reassured her.


    Ellie smiled again. I felt relieved as she returned her attention to the photos. Even though I told Ellie


    I didn¡¯t care, I found myself drawn to the picture of Brandon piggybacking a girl. That girl definitely


    wasn¡¯t Ellie. She wouldn¡¯t have panicked while trying to exin if she was that girl.


    So, who was the lucky girl that Brandon had carried on his back? Was she a neighbor or a cousin?


    She must have grown up by now. Would she suddenly reappear one day looking for Brandon like in


    some clich¨¦ romance movie?


    I realized my imagination was running wild. So wild that I felt a little embarrassed by it. I nced


    over at the Howell family portrait and my eyes lingered on Tom¡¯s face. There was something familiar


    about him, as if I had seen him somewhere before.


    ¡°Is this Mr. Howell?¡± I asked casually.


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s my dad. But he¡¯s not Mr. Howell, he¡¯s Mr Elordi, Ellie said. I paused as my heart


    skipped a beat.


    My dad¡¯s driver used to be a man named Elordi. I remembered his name cleady because he used


    to joke with me, saying that it was Elordi with a ¡°lord¡± in the name even though he was not of noble


    rank.


    Could it really be just a coincidence? I recalled what Brandon had mentioned before. He said both


    my dad¡¯s car ident and his dad¡¯s car ident were connected to Arthur. A chill ran down my


    spine. Could it be that Brandon¡¯s dad was my dad¡¯s driver?


    ¡°Mae, what¡¯s wrong? Why aren¡¯t you saying anything?¡± Ellie said.


    Her voice pulled me back to the present. I looked at her with an uneasy expression, but then I


    remembered that she had lost Alfred while still in her mom¡¯s arms.


    So, she might not know certain things.


    ¡°Mae, are


    you feeling unwell


    Ellie had caught on to my difort.


    212


    I forced myself to stay calm. ¡°Wait. Something doesn¡¯t add up. Howe you and Brandon¡¯sst


    name is Howell, but your dad¡¯sst name is Elordi?¡±


    Ellie smiled. ¡°That¡¯s because my dad married into my mom¡¯s family, so the kids took my mom¡¯sst


    name. My mom¡¯s name is Ashley Howell.¡±


    So that was the story. If I hadn¡¯te here, I would have never known any of this. It would never


    have crossed my mind that the driver who worked for my family, Mr. Elordi, was actually Brandon¡¯s


    dad.


    What about Brandon? Did he already know about the connection between our dads? Was he


    looking out for me because of some obligation carried over from the previous generation? Some


    things were better left unthought, but they came unbidden.


    ¡°Mae, Bran told me that my parents were deeply in love. After my dad¡¯s ident, my mom missed


    him so much that she identally fell into the river while working¡­¡± Ellie¡¯s voice trailed off as she


    looked out of the window at the river.


    My heart skipped a beat. I hadn¡¯t known that such a beautiful river held such a tragic story. Brandon


    built the house here not only tomemorate Ashley but also so that she could always watch over


    them.


    ¡°I was raised by Bran.¡± Ellie¡¯s words suddenly made it clear why Brandon was so hesitant about her


    surgery.

 Redmption 211

    Redmption 211


    Ellie wasn¡¯t just Brandon¡¯s little sister. She was practically his daughter, as he had raised her since


    she was a child.


    Their bond was so deep that it exined why Brandon was so cautious and hesitant when it came


    to Ellie¡¯s matters.


    Ellie shared stories about her and Brandon. She told me about this little courtyard and how every


    brick and tile was built by Brandon himself. She also mentioned how Brandon used to catch fish and


    grill them for her, and how he became an excellent cook from trying to make good food for her.


    I learned more about Brandon as Ellie shared stories about her and Brandon. They were stories


    that tugged at my heartstrings. His Independent character was forged from years of responsibility


    and loneliness.


    As Ellie continued talking, she eventually drifted off to sleep. I had a sudden urge to call Brandon


    after looking at Ellie sleeping peacefully.


    I wanted to tell him that from now on, I would take care of him and he wouldn¡¯t have to be the only


    one always caring for others.


    However, that impulse passed as quickly as it came. I didn¡¯t act upon that thought. Some intentions


    were better shown through actions rather than words.


    I didn¡¯t give Brandon a call. Instead, I dialed Lisa¡¯s number.


    ¡°Where are you?¡± Lisa¡¯s voice sounded tired.


    I noticed something was off. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Did you just get off surgery? You sound exhausted.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sick.¡± Lisa¡¯s words caught me by surprise.


    However, given how she overworked herself, it wasn¡¯t all that surprising. After all, people aren¡¯t


    machines, and even doctors can fall ill.


    ¡°What happened? Have you taken your medicine?¡± I asked with concern.


    ¡°I have. It¡¯s nothing serious. I was just overworked, Lisa replied before asking, ¡°But you haven¡¯t told


    me about your whereabouts yet. Did something happen?¡±


    Iughed. ¡°Do I seem like the kind of person who will run away when something goes wrong?¡±


    ¡°Nope.¡± Lisa knew me well.


    ¡°Liz, I need a favor.¡± I exined Ellie¡¯s situation, but Lisa didn¡¯t respond for a while.


    I started to worry that I was putting her in a tough spot. ¡°You don¡¯t know anybody who can help, do


    you?¡± I asked.


    -do,¡± Lisa finally said with a hesitant voice. ¡°And based on what you told me, I think it¡¯s possible.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Liz.¡± I didn¡¯t notice anything strange in her tone.


    ¡°But I don¡¯t want to talk to this person.¡± Lisa¡¯s words caught me off guard.


    I paused for a couple of seconds. ¡°Do you have some sort of grudge against that person? Or is it


    something more personal?¡±


    Lisaughed at my question. ¡°I don¡¯t hold any grudges.


    Then it must be something personal.¡± I suddenly remembered that Lisa had a crush on a senior


    during


    our school days. That crushsted throughout her entire youth, but she had never let her feelings


    be


    known.


    The reason Lisa gave, and I quote, was, ¡°He deserves better.¡±


    Lisa was capable of love, but she had her own limits.


    ¡°Is that senior married now?¡± I asked.


    Lisa went silent for a couple of seconds. ¡°I don¡¯t know, I stopped keeping tabs on him after I


    graduated. I only came across published papers. He¡¯s be a world¨Crenowned expert in


    cardiology.¡±


    Upon hearing that, I knew there was hope for Ellie¡¯s heart condition.


    ¡°Liz, just ask him, please. Saving a life is more important than anything else,¡± I pleaded. This was


    my first time pushing her.


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    I wasn¡¯t entirely selfless. A part of me was thinking that maybe the senior hadn¡¯t found his ¡°perfect


    match¡± yet. They could reconnect through Ellie¡¯s situation and maybe there would be a new


    beginning for them.


    Lisa sighed. ¡°Madeline, you really know how to prioritize romance over friendship.¡±


    Through her words, I knew she was going to help.

 Redmption 212

    Redmption 212


    Ellie was so lonely that I knew she wanted me to stay. However, I only had two days off, so I


    extended my Teave by another two days to keep herpany.


    But then again, all good things muste to an end, and I had to leave eventually.


    Before I left, she made me coffee and packed food that she had cooked with flower petals and She


    made sure she gave me the best of everything she had.


    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    pollen.


    I knew she was genuinely fond of me, and that affection made me feel a responsibility I couldn¡¯t put


    into words.


    ¡°Maddie, please visit me whenever you can,¡± Ellie said as her eyes avoided mine.


    I could tell she was holding back her tears and didn¡¯t want me to see it. She was the kind of girl who


    appeared fragile but had a strong spirit.


    I


    ¡°Of course,¡± I replied while keeping my words brief.


    I felt a lump in my throat. I didn¡¯t dare to say more out of fear that I would start crying before she did.


    Goodbyes were like the softest knife that left the deepest ache.


    ¡°I already asked a friend to help find a doctor for you. Once everything is arranged, Bran and I will


    come get you,¡± I told her as I hugged her goodbye, offering a new glimmer of hope.


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll be waiting, Maddie,¡± Ellie said. Her words became a driving force for me.


    On the way back, I sent Lisa another message. She told me to go straight to her ce after I


    landed.


    I had taken the train on the way here and now I was taking a ne back. I spent the entire flight


    sleeping and dreaming about the moments I had spent with Ellie the past few days.


    From tending to the nts, washing clothes in the river, and talkingte into the night as wey


    side.


    y side by


    It was already evening when a flight attendant woke me up after the nended. I took a cab but


    headed straight to the repair shop to pick up my car instead of going home.


    Before I even got there, my phone rang. It was a call from Chris. Ever since he and Jewel¡¯s


    rtionship had gone public, he hadn¡¯t bothered me. So, I figured something must be up for him to


    call now.


    I answered. Before I could say anything, Chris asked, ¡°Is it true that my dad¡¯s hair turned white


    overnight?¡±


    His question made my heart tighten. How could he just find this out now? The incident had


    happened days ago. The fact that he was asking me meant he hadn¡¯t even seen Zack. Ldidn¡¯t know


    what to say to him that would convey the anger I felt.


    ¡°Maddie, say something,¡± Chris urged while sounding desperate.


    I


    ¡°What do you want me to say? Can¡¯t you just go see for yourself?¡± I snapped.


    My temper which had softened by my time spent with Ellie had red up again thanks to Chris.


    Chris went silent. Just as I was about to hang up, he said, ¡°They won¡¯t let me in the house


    anymore.¡±


    Served you right! The words shed through my mind.


    ¡°Maddie, I¡¯mpletely alone now.¡± Chris¡® voice was filled with destion.


    However, I didn¡¯t feel any sympathy toward him. Instead, I mocked him, ¡°You brought this on


    yourself.¡±


    Chrisughed bitterly: ¡°Yeah, I deserved this.¡±


    At least he knew that much.


    ¡°Maddie, do you think my dad ispletely disappointed in me?¡±


    He asked an incredibly foolish question.


    Zack¡¯s hair had turned white because of him. It was more than just disappointment. It was


    heartache, helplessness, and anger only he could truly understand,


    Even though Zack used to say his parents treated him and Conrad equally, as an outsider, I could


    see clearly that they had always favored Zack a bit more. However, he had let them down


    completely. ¡°Maddie, can I ask you for a favor?¡± Zack begged humbly, which was rare of him.

 Redmption 213

    Redmption 213


    I wasn¡¯t sure what kind of favor he was asking for, sol stayed silent. Chris then continued, ¡°My


    parents can¡¯t ept Jewel at all, especially my mom. Could you say something nice about her to


    my mom?¡±


    That was like twisting a knife in me. Chris had to be doing this on purpose. If he wasn¡¯t out of his


    mind, then he must have thought I was a pushover to think I was willing to help him.


    ¡°Mr. Gildon, if you really want me to say something, I can tell you right now, it won¡¯t be anything


    nice.¡± I wasn¡¯t about to y the saint.


    ¡°Maddie¡­¡±


    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    ¡°Chris, I¡¯m not an angel. I can¡¯t be the bigger person. Jewel has nothing to do with me, so why


    should I say something nice about her?¡± I shot back


    Then, Chris asked immediately, ¡°Is it because you¡¯re jealous?¡±


    I let out augh. ¡°So you¡¯re trying to see if I¡¯m jealous? Well, I¡¯m afraid you¡¯ll be disappointed. Not


    only am I not jealous, but I¡¯m also relieved. I¡¯m relieved that I saw who you truly are early on.¡±


    Chris sighed on the other end. ¡°Maddie, I only gave Jewel a title. I owed her this. But we really


    didn¡¯t¡­¡±


    I frowned and cut him off coldly. ¡°That¡¯s between you and her. It has nothing to do with me.


    ¡°But there¡¯s nobody else I can talk to.¡± Chris sounded dejected.


    He had always been so confident and rarely showed vulnerability like this. However, whatever he


    said would not concern me anymore. We were both adults, and we had to live with the choices we


    made.


    ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m busy.¡± I stopped long enough to let the words sink in before hanging up.


    The journey continued until I reached the repair shop to pick up my car before heading over to meet


    Lisa. Brandon hadn¡¯t contacted me these few days, but I knew he was aware of me spending time


    with Ellie. Kara had sent me a message to tell me that most of the lighting adjustments were done.


    She mentioned that Brandon had been staying up all night to make sure everything was perfect. It


    seemed like he was catching up on the work he had been neglecting.


    Lisa¡¯s illness had hit her hard. She had been down with a bad cold for several days, so she had


    taken a rare long break at home.


    ¡°I¡¯m still contagious. Be careful or you¡¯ll get sick too,¡± Lisa warned me as soon as we met.


    I gave her a big hug while ignoring her warning. ¡°Well, bring it on.¡±


    She yfully punched me a few times. ¡°Don¡¯t think I don¡¯t know why you¡¯re so fearless. You¡¯re the


    first person I¡¯ve seen who cares this much about their future sister¨Cinw. You¡¯re not even married


    yet.¡±


    Since she brought up Ellie, I didn¡¯t hold back either. ¡°So any progress?¡±


    Lisa went silent. I titled my head and looked at her. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re still working up the courage


    to ask him? Come on, this is a matter of life and death.¡±


    ¡°Do you really think I¡¯m that weak?¡± Lisa retorted.


    My eyes lit up. ¡°So, you¡¯ve contacted him? How did it go?¡±


    Lisa remained silent, which made me anxious. I grabbed her arm and shook it. ¡°Come on, tell me! Is


    it possible?¡±


    ¡°He said he¡¯ll be back in a few days and will contact me then,¡± Lisa spoke slowly,


    I sensed there was more to it. ¡°That¡¯s it? Is there something else?¡±


    Lisa shook her head. ¡°Nope. That¡¯s all.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s all?¡± I asked in disbelief.


    Lisa pped my hand away. ¡°Really, that¡¯s all he said He¡¯ll be back next Tuesday and when he


    does, I¡¯ll take you to meet him. You better bring the girl¡¯s medical records,¡± she said.


    ¡°You want me to go too?¡± I was surprised.


    ¡°Of course. You expect me to go alone?¡± Lisa asked.


    I nodded. ¡°Yes, I do. I¡¯m not going to be a third wheel.¡±


    Lisa didn¡¯t respond immediately. After a moment, she added, ¡°His ¡®perfect match¡® works in the same


    department as him.¡±


    | froze..


    Lisa smiled bitterly. ¡°So Maddie, don¡¯t get your hopes up. It was never going to happen between


    us.¡±

 Redmption 214

    Redmption 214


    Lisa was always clear¨Cheaded, but she could be a coward,


    Sometimes she would jump to conclusions without even trying.


    In this instance, we were different, but everybody had their own way of dealing with things. There


    was a saying that went, you can¡¯t live someone else¡¯s life for them. No matter how close we were,


    this was no exception.


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    I spent the night at Lisa¡¯s ce before heading back. I didn¡¯t meet Brandon at all. The neighbor


    downstairs asked if I had gone on a trip with my boyfriend since she hadn¡¯t seen us for a few days.


    That was when I realized Brandon hadn¡¯t been home at all.


    Even though Kara mentioned Brandon was busy, I knew the real reason he chose to stay here was


    because of me. When I was around, he woulde back every day. When I wasn¡¯t, he didn¡¯t even


    bother showing up.


    Since he wasn¡¯ting here, I decided to go see him instead.


    When I arrived at the amusement park, Kara spotted me and immediately ran over. She gave me a


    big hug without saying anything and then yfully punched me.


    ¡°Maddie, you¡¯re so heartless! It¡¯s been ages since youst came to see me.¡±


    Those punches really hurt my shoulders. It made it seem like I had wronged her.


    ¡°I¡¯m here now, aren¡¯t I?¡± I patted her back, but my eyes were looking in Brandon¡¯s direction.


    He was high up, being secured by safety ropes and wearing a safety helmet. He was performing


    checks at the top. However, even from up there, he had already.noticed me while I waved at him.


    He pressed a button beside him and slowly descended, I turned to Kara with a smile. ¡°What¡¯s with


    the long face? Did Mr. Howell give you a hard time again?¡±


    ¡°No. He¡¯s actually more sensitive than before, Kara said while looking at me. ¡°Maddie, you¡¯ve


    changed. You look different.¡±


    Herment caught me off guard. ¡°Different how? Am I uglier? Or did I get tanned?¡±


    I had spent the past few days with Ellie. Whether it was feeling the wind, soaking up the sun, or


    ying in the river, I was fully enjoying the great nature.


    ¡°No, you¡¯ve be more carefree.¡± Kara smiled. ¡°More beautiful and attractive too.¡±


    As soon as she finished speaking, Brandon had already descended and was walking toward us. His


    long legs had captured my attention.


    The way he carried himself in his workwear exuded masculinity too. For a brief moment, I had the


    urge to run up and hug him, maybe even steal a kiss.


    ¡°Mr. Howell.¡± Kara¡¯s formal greeting brought me back to reality and stopped those inappropriate


    thoughts.


    ¡°The lights in Zone D, Groups three to six are unstable. Check them and send me the footage of


    last night¡¯s dynamic light test,¡± Brandon instructed Kara.


    1 clearly saw Kara pout as she reluctantly tore her gaze from me. I wanted some time alone with


    Brandon,


    so I waved her off.


    ¡°Maddie, don¡¯t leave. Let¡¯s have lunch together.¡± Kara invited me again as she clearly missed me.


    2/2


    She was enthusiastic but clueless. Couldn¡¯t she notice the chemistry between Brandon and I? She


    used to be sharper than this.


    ¡°You go ahead and work. We¡¯ll talkter,¡± I gently dismissed her.


    ¡°I¡¯ll let you and Mr. Howell catch up. I¡¯ll go check on the lights,¡± Kara said and nodded at Brandon


    before reluctantly walking away while ncing back every few steps.


    With Kara out of the way, Brandon and I were left in silence. We looked at each other. The intensity


    between us was so palpable that I could practically feel it.


    ¡°Are you tired?¡± Brandon finally broke the silence.


    ¡°Not really,¡± I replied while I felt the breeze on my face, lifting my hair as the wind blew.


    I raised my hand to push my hair aside. When I looked at Brandon again, his gaze had grown even


    more intense while his Adam¡¯s apple bobbed slightly.


    My eyes locked on his Adam¡¯s apple. ¡°Is there something you want to say to me?¡±

 Redmption 215

    Redmption 215


    During my visit to Brandon¡¯s house, I knew Ellie had probably told him everything,


    ¡°If you like it there, maybe in the future¡­¡± Brandon paused and left the sentence unfinished.


    I smiled. ¡°What¡¯s with the future?¡±


    Brandon¡¯s Adam¡¯s apple bobbed again. ¡°You could retire there in the future.¡±


    ¡°Just me?¡± The words slipped out before I could stop them.


    ¡°I could join you if you¡¯d like.¡± Brandon didn¡¯t beat around the bush.


    However, I hesitated. The future was so uncertain, and growing old together felt so far away.


    ¡°I¡¯ve found a specialist for Ellie. Can you give me her medical records?¡± I shifted the topic.


    Last night, I criticized Lisa for being a coward, but wasn¡¯t I the same? I am acting a little cowardly,


    but I had another motive too. I wanted to keep Brandon on his toes.


    Lisa once said that Chris treated me indifferently and never took me seriously because he had


    gotten me too easily. People have always undervalued whates too easily.


    It was like a piece of fruit. If it was gifted by someone, people might toss it aside without a second


    thought. However, if it was bought by them, they would likely eat it, even if it didn¡¯t taste quite right.


    Brandon remained silent. I remembered what Ellie said and knew he was probably worried..


    ¡°I¡¯ll have someone look at her records first to assess the surgical risks. Then, you can decide


    whether or not to proceed.¡± I left the decision up to him.


    ¡°I had already consulted someone. Ellie¡¯s surgical risk is high. Her surgery is far riskier than typical


    heart surgeries because of her rare blood type. Plus¡­¡± Brandon paused. ¡°She has other health


    issues too.¡±


    I was taken aback. Ellie only mentioned her blood type, not any other conditions.


    ¡°What other issues?¡± I asked.


    I needed to know everything in order to make sure the doctors could properly assess her situation.


    Brandon had taken a few steps to the side and gripped the ralling. I followed him and noticed the


    heavy expression on his face. My heart tightened. ¡°Brandon¡­


    ¡°She had a brainstem glioma,¡± Brandon said in a low voice. ¡°And it was inoperable.¡±


    Although I wasn¡¯t well¨Cversed in medical terms, I knew that having something in her brain wasn¡¯t a


    good sign.


    ? Or was it.¡±


    I looked at Brandon¡¯s stern face and struggled to find the right words. ¡°When did you find out? Or


    Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    ¡°She was born with it,¡± Brandon said.


    Ellie was born with a heart condition and brainstem glioma. It seemed like this angelic girl¡¯s fate had


    been sealed from the moment she was born.


    ¡°The doctors say she won¡¯t live past 20, Brandon said with a voice so low it made it hard to


    breathe.


    suddenly remembered that I didn¡¯t ask Ellie about her age during the past few days. I looked at


    Brandon¡¯s side profile. ¡°How old is she now?¡±


    ¡°19,¡± Brandon replied..


    2/2


    That meant Ellie only had one year left. I was shocked.) couldn¡¯t fathom how such a vibrant and


    energetic girl had such little time left in this world.


    ¡°It can¡¯t be true. Ellie looks healthier than any of us.¡± I refused to ept the harsh truth.


    Brandon¡¯s expression turned grim. ¡°No one wishes more than I do for her to live a long life. If I


    could, I would give her my own life to extend hers.¡±


    My heart ached at his words. I stepped closer, reaching out to his wrist. I wanted to say something


    but the words wouldn¡¯te.


    Finally, I tugged at him gently. When he turned to face me, I wrapped my arms around him to hug


    him.

 Redmption 216

    Redmption 216


    My sudden hug caught Brandon off guard. His body stiffened at the contact. After a brief pause, I


    heard him ask in a low voice, ¡°Are you pitying me?¡±


    ¡°I feel sorry for you!¡± I corrected him.


    Brandon didn¡¯t respond, nor did he hug me back. It left me feeling a little awkward, Just as I was


    about to pull away, I looked up and saw Chris standing nearby,


    Was he here today too? Somehow, Kara, that big mouth, hadn¡¯t mentioned it.


    My hands tightened again just as they were about to release Brandon. He tried to pull away. I held


    his hand firmly. ¡°Don¡¯t move.¡±


    He stopped while I continued to hug him. ¡°Are you working overtime today?¡±


    Brandon asked, ¡°What?¡±


    I tip¨Ctoed and whispered close to his ears. ¡°I miss your cooking.¡±


    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    I heard the sound of his throat swallowing loudly in my ear, followed by a soft¡± ¡°Okay.¡±


    A shiver ran through me and I nced in Chris¡® direction. I saw him clenching his fists, his


    expression darkening as he finally turned and walked away.


    I released my grip on Brandon. Just as I was about to say something, Kara¡¯s voice rang out from a


    distance. ¡°Hello, Mr. Gildon!¡±


    Brandon turned around to catch a glimpse of Chris before looking back at me. At that moment, I


    found, myself unable to meet his gaze.


    I knew he likely thought my disy of affection was probably just an act for Chris. The truth was, he


    wasn¡¯t entirely wrong. So, I couldn¡¯t exin, nor did I see the need to.


    Kara came running over while being slightly out of breath. ¡°Mr. Howell, the lights in Zone C, Group


    seven to three, got damaged by the workers installing the amusement equipment.¡±


    idents were the bane of construction work, yet they were never short in supply.


    Brandon¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change as he said, ¡°Let¡¯s go take a look.¡±


    He started walking and seemingly forgot about me. I stood there while feeling uncertain about


    whether to follow or stay put.


    Embarrassed by my childish behavior from before, I lowered my gaze and was about to let out a


    sigh when I heard Brandon¡¯s voice. ¡°Are youing?¡±


    I looked up and met his clear, dark eyes. There wasn¡¯t a hint of emotion in them, as if nothing had


    happened at all.


    He was a master at controlling and concealing his emotions. Just moments ago, he had clearly


    been upset. However, within seconds, he was back to being unreadable.


    ¡°Maddie, you shoulde see this. There¡¯s a lot of damage and it¡¯s really frustrating.¡± Kara


    grumbled as she beckoned me over.


    Even though I hadn¡¯t been aroundtely, I still cared about what was going on. I quickly followed


    them. I wasn¡¯t sure if I walked too fast or I tripped over something, but I suddenly stumbled forward.


    Brandon reached out to catch me and I fell into his arms. His movement was so smooth it was like


    a


    scene straight out of a drama.


    Kara¡¯s eyes widened in surprise before she squinted her eyes and started to giggle.


    In the past, I would have felt embarrassed and awkward, but now I didn¡¯t. Instead, I naturally


    stepped away from Brandon¡¯s embrace and thanked him. ¡°Thank you.¡±


    2/2


    Brandon didn¡¯t reply and continued walking. Kara came over to grab my arm and said with a


    mischievous voice, ¡°Maddie, did you notice? Mr. Howell¡¯s ears are red.¡±


    I hadn¡¯t noticed. However, when she pointed it out, I nced over and saw that she was right.


    Brandon was a tough guy. I didn¡¯t expect his ears to get red. It was actually kind of adorable.


    ¡°Maddie, Mr. Howell is so innocent. Just a little hug and his ears turned red. He¡¯s definitely a virgin,¡±


    Kara whispered in my ear.


    ¡°Ahem.¡± I pushed her away. ¡°Do you think about anything else besides this?¡±

 Redmption 217

    Redmption 217


    Kara nodded, ¡°I think about this amusement park and it¡¯s beautiful lights.¡± She chuckled before


    tightening her grip around me. ¡°And of course, you.¡±


    She really knew how to tter people.


    We arrived at the site where the incident had urred. Brandon climbed up to inspect the damage


    and took notes as he went along.


    ¡°We¡¯ve lost two entire sets. Each set has 22 lights in 13 different colors,¡± Brandon reported as he


    scanned the broken lights before¡¯ncing at the crane nearby.


    Finally, he turned to Kara. ¡°Get Mr. Gildon over here. We need to assess the damage and liability.¡±


    Kara nodded before pulling out her phone to give Conrad a call. He arrived quickly and paused


    when he


    saw me.


    He seemed surprised at my presence but quickly recovered and smiled. ¡°Maddie, are you here for


    ant early inspection?¡±


    I wasn¡¯t in charge of this project anymore, so I knew he was teasing me. However, I could tell that


    he was just joking. I smiled back. ¡°No, I¡¯m just here to see Brandon.¡±


    When I said that, something clearly flickered in Conrad¡¯s eyes before he turned to Brandon. ¡°The


    construction team already informed me about the incident.¡±


    He stopped at that statement, clearly implying that Brandon should let it slide.


    I looked at Brandon and noticed his cold expression. ¡°If they had admitted that it was their fault, then


    they¡¯re responsible for all the damages. I¡¯ll coordinate the recements and send the invoice to


    you.¡±


    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    Brandon wasn¡¯t ying along. He made it clear that he had no intention of letting this go..


    Conrad was usually well¨Cmannered. However, he seemed a little annoyed by this. ¡°This happened


    on my watch, so I¡¯ll take the me.¡±


    He was trying to use his authority to pressure Brandon. However, Brandon wasn¡¯t having any of it.


    ¡°Then perhaps I should pass the invoice to you, Mr. Gildon.¡±


    Conrad¡¯s expression darkened, but I felt the sudden urge tough, Brandon was definitely not


    ying by his rules, nor was he following the usual corporate ybook.


    The tension between the two was palpable and their gazes were locked in a silent battle while


    standing a step away from each other.


    Kara sensed the shift in the atmosphere and nudged me nervously while tugging my sleeve.


    However, | stayed silent. No matter whose side I took, someone was bound to get hurt. Besides, I


    had a feeling this tension had something to do with me. So, it was best if I remained silent.


    ¡°What invoice?¡± Chris suddenly appeared and interrupted the standoff.


    What had been a duel between the two was now bing a three¨Cway sh.


    The tension escted. Kara whispered urgently, ¡°Maddle¡­¡±


    As soon as she whispered to me, Chris called her out. Ms. Spraggins, what do you think?¡±


    Kara flinched. Her grip on my arm tightened as she trembled. ¡°Mr. Chris..


    ¡°Just tell the truth,¡± I reminded her as I gently pushed her forward.


    Kara looked back at me before stepping forward to report everything honestly.


    After listening, Chris looked at Brandon. ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry about this. I¡¯ll handle it with your


    boss.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m in charge here. So, if I say there will bepensation, then there will be.¡± Brandon was


    unyielding.


    Chris¡® eyes narrowed while a faint, mocking smile tugged at his lips. ¡°And what if I say I¡¯m in


    charge? Are you nning to quit, or are you thinking about leaving this ce?¡±


    He was clearly challenging Brandon, trapping Brandon in his own words.


    Brandon, with his straightforward nature, couldn¡¯t match their maniptive tactics, even if it was


    Conrad. After all, Conrad was just as ruthless as anyone from the Gildon family.


    After all the hard work Brandon had put in day and night plus knowing the project was nearing


    completion, watching them cornering Brandon like this made me feel that Chris was being cruel. He


    was just taking advantage of Brandon.


    I couldn¡¯t stand it any longer and stepped forward.

 Redmption 218

    Redmption 218


    I turned to see Brandon grabbing my hand. He nced at me with softness in his eyes before


    ring at Chris. He said with determination, ¡°I won¡¯t leave here until the final inspection is


    complete.¡±


    That was just the way he was. The more someone tried to push him out, the more determined he


    was to stay, just like before.


    I was about to hear Chris¡® response when Brandon squeezed my hand a little tighter and added, ¡°I


    promised Mae this.¡±


    Hearing him calling me ¡®Mae¡® and mentioning his promise to me sent a shiver through me.


    It also darkened the expression on both Conrad¡¯s and Chris¡® faces. Everyone fell silent and the


    tension thickened. It felt like the air had been sucked out of the room.


    I took a deep breath and broke the silence. ¡°Mr. Conrad, Mr. Chris, even though I¡¯m no longer in


    charge of this project or employed here, there¡¯s one rule I¡¯ve always remembered. Thepany¡¯s


    interests alwayse first and no one has the right to jeopardize them for any reason.¡±


    I reminded Conrad that he needed to take responsibility for his own actions. If he wanted to protect


    someone else, then he should be ready to bear the consequences. In ancient times, even the


    nobles were held ountable for their crimes just likemoners.


    If they wanted to run apany effectively, they had to lead by example.


    Havingid it out like this, Chris and Conrad had nothing more to say. To them, even if I was being


    logical, I was taking Brandon¡¯s side. They both looked furious, but it seemed like the matter had


    finallye to an end.


    Just then, Jewel came to take the me. She hurried over whilepletely ignoring her condition.


    ¡°I was in charge of this. I should be the one to bear the consequences.¡±


    Chris¡® expression grew even darker. The veins in his temples were pulsing with anger. This was a


    clear sign that he was about to lose his temper. I could sense that he was on the verge of beating


    someone up.


    If it were other employees, they were really asking for it. However, this was Jewel, the woman Chris


    had chosen over a decade of our rtionship and even family ties.


    I could almost predict what Chris was going to say. I smirked and was going to leave with Brandon. I


    was tired of hearing some excuses and even more tired of seeing him defend Jewel.


    However, to my surprise, Chris turned to Jewel and said, ¡°If it¡¯s your responsibility, then you¡¯ll bear


    the consequences. The losses will be on you.¡±


    I looked at Chris in disbelief. His expression was stern as he turned away.


    Jewel stood there, her charming little face palling in shock. This was not what I expected. I never


    thought Chris would actually punish the woman he loved so much.


    As Chris walked away, Jewel¡¯s expression slowly recovered. She awkwardly looked at Conrad,


    hoping to get back her dignity, ¡°Conrad, I¡¯ll arrange to have the financial department cover the


    losses.¡±


    ¡°Alright,¡± Conrad replied curtly before adding, ¡°You may address me as Mr. Gildon during work


    hours.¡±


    Jewel¡¯s face was clear that she felt extremely humiliated by the two brothers. She didn¡¯t even look at


    me,


    not that I wanted to witness her embarrassment. What was there to see anyway?


    She had already humiliated me by taking away my fiance.


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± I said to Brandon.


    He nodded and held my hand as we walked away. His grip on my hand didn¡¯t loosen throughout.


    After a distance, I looked at his hand which was still holding mine. ¡°There¡¯s no one around here.¡±


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t trying to put on a show.¡± It seemed like he understood my point.


    His words were a subtle tease about how I hugged him earlier on, implying that he thought that was


    a performance for Chris.


    ¡°Well, if it¡¯s not for show, then you really shouldn¡¯t be holding my hand.¡± I pulled back my hand and


    jokingly added, ¡°Do you always casually hold other girls¡® hands, Mr. Howell?¡±


    ¡°No. I¡¯ve only held yours.¡± He was honest as always, but I found it sweet at the same time.

 Redmption 219

    Redmption 219


    I looked at Brandon as I remembered Tom, whom I used to call Mr. Elordi when I was little. The


    thought that Brandon wanted to stay close to me made me ask, ¡°Brandon, are you flirting with me


    because you like me?¡±


    ¡°Why else? Do you think I¡¯m just ying around with you?¡± He looked me in the eye without


    hesitation.


    ¡°Are you hiding something from me? Like¡­ maybe we knew each other a long time ago?¡± On my


    way back or maybe ever since I learned about Tom¡¯s identity, this question had been gnawing at


    me.


    Brandon¡¯s eyes flickered for a moment. ¡°When you were little, I piggybacked you. And¡­ you kissed


    me.¡±


    Brandon had a way of catching me off guard. If I hadn¡¯t had my fair share of romantic experiences,


    his words would have made me blush furiously.


    ¡°Really? Where did I kiss you?¡± I asked directly.


    He took a step closer. We were already close to each other, but with this step, the space between


    us nearly vanished. My heart skipped a beat but I didn¡¯t pull away.


    Brandon looked at me, his breath warm against my forehead as he looked down at me. ¡°Do you


    want me to show you?¡±


    I was speechless.


    At that moment, I was absolutely certain that Brandon was pretending to be an honest man while


    catching people off guard. He was definitely a pro at flirting.


    My face inevitably flushed and I found myself too embarrassed to meet his gaze.


    ¡°Dream on,¡± I muttered before turning and running off.


    I heard Brandon chuckle softly behind me. I was convinced that he was teasing me on purpose.


    Suddenly, a memory surfaced. It was a dream I once had. I was on Brandon¡¯s back yfully tugging


    and scratching him while calling him Bran. Could that have been more than just a dream? Was it


    real?


    However, there was no way to know for sure. I was too young back then. The only people who might


    have known about it were my parents and they were no longer here. Only Brandon might have the


    answers. He was much older than me, so he probably remembered,


    But there was no way I could bring myself to ask him about it.


    Even though I was running, Brandon¡¯s long strides caught up to me. The lights here are all set up.


    Do you have time tonight?¡±


    I knew he wanted me to see the lighting effects he had been working on, but my heart was still


    racing from his teasing. So, I said on purpose, ¡°Nope. I¡¯m busy


    ¡°When do you have the time then?¡± Brandon asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure yet. I¡­ Just when I was about to say something to keep him on his toes, my phone


    rang. It was a call from Derick.


    Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    I remembered that I had asked him for a favor. I gestured to Brandon and stepped aside to take the


    call. Derick.¡±


    ¡°Where are you?¡± Derick asked casually.


    ¡°I¡¯m outside,¡± I answered and immediately asked again, ¡°Did you find out anything about what I


    asked??


    Chanter 219


    2/2


    ¡°What?¡± Derick sounded confused.


    I was about to roll my eyes, thinking Derick had forgotten about my task and was an unreliable


    person when he added, ¡°You meant the investigation on that person? Yeah, I¡¯ve got some leads.¡±


    I realized he was teasing me and let out a smallugh. I knew I could count on you.¡±


    ¡°Of course, I¡¯m Derick. If you want to know the details, meet me at Star Empire at seven,¡± Derrick


    said as I looked at Brandon instinctively.


    If I agreed to meet Derick, I wouldn¡¯t be able to see the lights with Brandon tonight. I was just


    teasing him when I told him I was busy tonight. In fact, I wanted to see the amusement park lights.


    After a couple of seconds, I replied to Derick, ¡°Can¡¯t you just tell me over the phone? I¡­¡± ¡°If you


    want to know,e meet me.¡± Derick cut me off and hung up.

 Redmption 220

    Redmption 220


    Derick didn¡¯t give me a chance to say no, and I knew exactly what that meant.


    Clutching the phone, I looked over at Brandon. After a brief pause, I walked over to him. Just


    as I was about to speak, Brandon said, ¡°I¡¯m leaving the day after tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Leaving?¡± I was taken aback ¡°Where to?¡±


    Brandon kept walking forward. ¡°Back home.¡±


    N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    I wondered if he wanted to go back to Amaty. But Brandon had said he would stay, and he


    even rented an apartment.


    Thinking about the apartment made me recall the uing demolition and the favor Olivia


    had asked of me. I hadn¡¯t even mentioned it to Brandon yet.


    I wanted to ask why he suddenly decided to go back, but I hesitated. Instead, I said, ¡°I¡¯ll


    come by tomorrow night to check the setup.¡±


    Brandon looked at me, his eyes seeming to say, ¡°You might have time, but I don¡¯t.¡±


    I waited for him to refuse. But after staring at me for a few seconds, he simply said, ¡°Okay.¡±


    I knew he was holding back when he said that.


    Brandon was still upset, but he didn¡¯t make things difficult for me. He was the one making


    the sacrifice.


    At that moment, I suddenly felt like a terrible person. I was taking advantage of Brandon¡¯s


    feelings for me, treating him unfairly because I could.


    People were like this. The one who chased always ended up hurt. Just like how it was for me


    with Chris. All those memories of being wronged came flooding back.


    I thought about the quote, ¡°Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.¡±


    ¡°Brandon,¡± I called out to him. ¡°I have to go see Derick tonight because I asked him to look


    into


    something for me, so I have to go.¡±


    Brandon¡¯s gaze darkened slightly before he responded quietly, ¡°Okay.¡±


    ¡°Tomorrow night, you can cook dinner for me, and then we cane together to check the


    lights,¡± I teased, trying to coax him.


    Brandon¡¯s lips twitched slightly. ¡°Madeline, I¡¯m not a child who can be cated with a treat.¡±


    I pouted. ¡°Oh.¡±


    Brandon¡¯s brow furrowed slightly. I leaned in closer and asked, ¡°Bran, is that not enough?


    What will work?¡±


    As soon as the words left my mouth, I noticed Brandon stiffen. His ears turned red, and his


    eyes wavered with intense emotion.


    I was just teasing him, but I didn¡¯t expect the word ¡°Bran¡± to have such a strong impact.


    Seeing Brandon, this tough guy, flustered and stirred up by my teasing was both refreshing


    and thrilling.


    Just when I thought he might do something in response, I heard him say in a low voice, ¡°You


    reject me,


    avoid me, and then you flirt with me. Madeline, are you deliberately stringing me along?¡±


    His serious expression and the hurt in his eyes made me feel like I had wounded him deeply.


    Feeling a bit guilty, tswallowed hard and said, ¡°Well, see you tomorrow.


    With that, I stepped back, turned around, and breathed out. On the way back, I realized I


    might have gone too far.


    Yet, at that moment, I couldn¡¯t help but tease him.


    I didn¡¯t want to get emotionally involved with him, but I couldn¡¯t help but tease him just to


    see the way he reacted to me. It was frustrating and self¨Cdefeating.


    The more I thought about it, the more I realized how selfish and wrong I had been. I regretted


    that I hadn¡¯t controlled myself.


    The feeling made me shake my head in self¨Cmockery. I even considered giving myself a


    good pinch for my actions.


    Just as I was lost in my frustration, Jewel¡¯s voice suddenly called out from ahead,


    ¡°Madeline.¡±


    Looking up, I saw Jewel standing not far away. Given my earlier behavior, she must have


    seen everything. It was pretty embarrassing.

 Redmption 221

    Redmption 221


    I had to y it cool.


    ¡°Madeline,¡± Jewel said as she stood in front of me. Her eyes were filled with tears.


    I squinted and said nothing, waiting for her to continue


    She needed to gather her emotions. I couldn¡¯t interfere


    ¡°Could you stay away from Chris?¡± she finally said.


    I frowned. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve already broken up with him. He¡¯s with me now, so you¡¯re part of the past. I don¡¯t want you


    showing up around him and affecting his mood.¡± Jewel¡¯s eyes were reddened, with tears


    shimmering.


    I couldn¡¯t help butugh. So, she was ming me for the punishment Chris gave her just now.


    ¡°Are you saying that you can¡¯t afford thepensation and need me to share the burden, Ms.


    Massey?¡± I mocked.


    Jewel¡¯s face turned pale instantly. She had previously shown her financial struggles in front of me,


    assuming my mockery was about her poverty


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    But it wasn¡¯t herck of money I foundughable. It was her ridiculousness.


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t afford it before, but things are different now.¡± Jewel wasn¡¯t backing down either. She


    retorted sharply and effectively.


    Her confidence came from the fact that she was now officially with Chris.


    act that she was now officially with Chris.


    She was trying to hurt me with her words, but I refused to just take it. I put on a look of sudden


    realization and said, ¡°Oh, I almost forgot. You¡¯re no longer the widow ofn, whom even your in¨C


    laws didn¡¯t acknowledge.¡±


    Hearingn¡¯s name made Jewel freeze, and then tears rolled down her cheeks. ¡°Madeline, don¡¯t


    usen to attack me. I don¡¯t want you showing up around Chris, not just for me, but for you too.¡±


    ket


    I smiled faintly. ¡°Is that so? I¡¯d hear how this is for my benefit.¡±


    Jewel wiped away the tears from the corner of her eye. ¡°Chris is very resentful toward you now.


    He¡¯s upset that you moved on so quickly, even feeling that you never truly loved him over the past


    ten years.¡±


    I furrowed my brow. ¡°Did Chris tell you that?¡±


    ¡°No.¡± Jewel bit her lip. ¡°He¡¯s too proud to say it, but I can feel it.¡±


    ¡°Oh, so he¡¯s quite the jerk. Now that I don¡¯t want him, he¡¯s the one feeling ufortable,¡± I said


    without any hint of politeness.


    ¡°Madeline, how can you say that about him?¡± Jewel defended him.


    ¡°How else should I put it? Should I say he¡¯s been so good to me, that he remembered my good


    qualities when he chose you?¡± My words made Jewel bite her lip as if I had just pped her in the


    face.


    She fell silent.


    1 warned her, ¡°Jewel, don¡¯t try to manipte me. I¡¯m not falling for your tricks. You don¡¯t need to


    test me. Chris is someone I¡¯ve let go of. Now that you¡¯re with him, I¡¯m d for the peace. I should


    thank you.¡±


    Jewel¡¯s lips trembled, and she was left speechless.


    2/2


    11


    I nced at her slightly rounded belly but decided to hold my tongue and turned away.


    But Jewel called after me, ¡°Since you don¡¯t want him, could you say something to his parents so


    they won¡¯t me him anymore?¡±


    I didn¡¯t even turn around. ¡°Why should I speak up for him?¡±


    Jewel didn¡¯t respond, and I left the amusement park and headed to the Star Empire building.


    As soon as I entered the lobby, I saw a familiar face. He spotted me and waved enthusiastically. ¡±


    Madeline, what a coincidence.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Roulder,¡± I greeted him coolly.


    Xander walked over. ¡°Have you finished your little break? You¡¯d better be back at work tomorrow. If


    not, I might have to recruit some new talents.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Roulder, if you¡¯re going to scare me, I¡¯ll definitely be at work tomorrow,¡± I replied, noticing


    Derick approaching.


    He saw me too. ¡°Maddie.¡±


    I waved at him and turned back to Xander. ¡°Mr. Roulder, I have a friend here. I¡¯ll see you


    tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°What kind of friend? A boyfriend? Why don¡¯t you introduce him?¡± Xander said. He was clearly


    overstepping given our brief acquaintance as colleagues.


    Before I could respond, Derrick stepped in. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m her boyfriend, so I suggest you don¡¯t get any


    ideas, sir

 Redmption 222

    Redmption 222


    1/2


    Derick¡¯s response genuinely surprised and shocked me. He had always treated me like a younger


    sister. Even though he would asionally joke around, he never crossed any line.


    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    Today¡¯s joke seemed a bit too much.


    Xander also looked at me with surprise, his eyes scrutinizing me. Derick walked up to me. He


    ignored Xander and said, ¡°Let¡¯s go inside.¡±


    I nodded at Xander and followed Derick. As we left, I saw Xander opening his mouth and reaching


    out, seemingly wanting to say something to keep me there.


    ¡°Were you trying to ruin my romantic prospects with what you just said, Derick?¡± After a brief


    moment of thought, I figured out his intention.


    ¡°Yeah, that guy seemed pretty unreliable.¡± Derick¡¯s evaluation of Xander made me snicker.


    He nced at me and said, ¡°I¡¯m usually very urate in judging people. I won¡¯t be wrong about this.


    Stay away from him in the future.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± I responded with a smile.


    ¡°I¡¯m serious. Don¡¯t treat it as a joke,¡± Derick emphasized.


    I nodded seriously and said, ¡°I¡¯m serious too. I¡¯m not interested in that type of person.¡±


    ¡°Then, what kind of person are you interested in?¡± Derick asked bluntly.


    Brandon¡¯s image shed in my mind. ¡°Someone stern and aloof on the outside but warm on the


    inside¡­


    and also¡­


    I remembered him wearing an apron in the kitchen, busy cooking for me. ¡°He can cook.¡±


    After all these years with Chris, he never even cooked me pasta.


    He was the heir to the family business and never stepped into the kitchen. It was normal for him not


    to


    know how to cook.


    But ultimately, it was because he never truly cared about me. If he did, he would have made the


    effort.


    Derickughed and remarked, ¡°Your standards are pretty down¨Cto¨Cearth.¡±


    I lowered my gaze, looking at our elongated shadows under the lights. ¡°In life, who isn¡¯t down¨Cto¨C


    earth? Isn¡¯t it all about daily meals?¡±


    Derick smirked and said, ¡°That makes sense.¡±


    After he finished speaking, we arrived at the elevator. He pressed the button, and we stepped


    inside.


    The elevator walls reflected my face and Derick¡¯s gaze as he looked at me. ¡°So, have you found that


    -person?¡±


    I hesitated for a couple of seconds. ¡°Yes.¡±


    Derick pressed his lips together. I expected him to ask who it was or suggest meeting him someday.


    Instead, he just gave a faint smile and said nothing more.


    thought he might already know.


    ¡°Derick, did you find out anything about that person? What¡¯s their name, and do you have a photo?¡±


    I asked him about the investigation before the elevator even arrived at our floor.


    Chopwy 222


    2/2


    Derick had his hand in his pocket. ¡°You seem very eager to know about this person.¡±


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s a bit mysterious, and I¡¯m curious,¡± I replied with a smile. ¡°You know I like to get to the


    bottom of things.*


    ¡°That¡¯s not always a good habit,¡± Derick warned.


    I didn¡¯t agree. ¡°But I don¡¯t want to be left in the dark.¡±


    Derick shook his head. ¡°Do you know Mark Twain? He once said that the greatest wisdom is often to


    ¡®not take things too seriously¡®.¡±


    At this point, it was clear that Derick and I had different values. Everyone had their own way of


    thinking. No one should force their views on others.


    I returned to the main topic and asked, ¡°So what did your investigation reveal, Derick?¡±


    The elevator dinged, signaling our arrival.


    Derick started to step out, but I reached out to stop him. He smiled and said, ¡°Look at you, so


    impatient. I¡¯ll tell you soon. Let¡¯s go inside first and not keep everyone waiting.¡±


    I immediately raised an eyebrow. ¡°Who else is here?¡±


    ¡°You probably don¡¯t know them. I¡¯ll introduce you in a moment. They¡¯ll be helpful to you in the


    future,¡± Derick said, patting my head. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t lead you astray.¡±


    trusted him. I followed Derick into a private room.

 Redmption 223

    Redmption 223


    As the door opened, the room was filled with boisterousughter. I immediately noticed the man


    sitting at the head of the table.


    He looked familiar. Derick introduced him, ¡°This is Eden, a close friend of mine and my regr


    billiard buddy.¡±


    I focused on the man¡¯s face, and I finally recalled his name¨CEden Griffins. He was Arthur¡¯s son and


    now the head of the Alpha Corporation.


    I had read about him online. He was a fan of billiards and even won an amateur tournament


    championship.


    It hadn¡¯t crossed my mind that he would¨Cbe connected to Derick, let alone be on such good terms


    with him.


    N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    ¡°And this must be our Maddie?¡± Eden chimed in with a smile.


    Though the term ¡°Maddie¡± sounded friendly, it sent a chill down my spine. Even though his profile


    appeared clean, Arthur¡¯s reputation wasn¡¯t, so there was no way he could bepletely clean


    either.


    People couldn¡¯t always judge a book by its cover.


    ¡°Maddie, from now on, just call him Eden. If you ever run into any trouble, feel free to reach out to


    him,¡± Derick said as he pulled out a chair for me to sit down.


    Derick also pulled out a chair and was about to sit down when Eden said, ¡°Derick, why don¡¯t you sit


    here? Let Maddie sit between us so I can get to know her better.¡±


    My heart skipped a beat upon hearing his words. I had always been wary of strangers, especially


    someone like Eden.


    I instinctively nced at Derick, but he didn¡¯t look up. He calmly set out my cutlery. ¡°You can still talk


    while sitting there.¡±


    I exhaled quietly in relief. I couldn¡¯t help but think that Derick had lived up to being someone I could


    trust, keeping me out of an ufortable situation.


    Eden chuckled. ¡°Derick, this is the first time I¡¯ve seen you being so protective of a girl.¡±


    Derick ced the cutlery in front of me, arranging it very precisely. If anything was slightly out of


    ce, he would adjust it until it was perfect. ¡°She¡¯s my sister. How could any girlpare?¡±


    It was a subtle warning to Eden that I wasn¡¯t someone he could mess with.


    To be honest, I was pretty touched. Derick had made his stance clear. Eden, being perceptive,


    simply smiled and then looked past Derick to focus on me.


    ¡°Maddie, Derick is someone you can rely on.¡±


    Before I could respond, Derick started chatting with Eden. The two of them discussed the recent


    competition.


    After they had talked for a while, Eden nced at me with a smile. ¡°Derick, we¡¯ve been so caught up


    talking about billiards that we haven¡¯t paid any attention to Maddie.¡±


    He turned to me with a grin. ¡°You¡¯re not bored, are you?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s definitely not bored. She knows as much as we do. Her skills on the table are top¨Cnotch,


    even among the best female yers,¡± Derick boasted about me.


    212


    Eden looked genuinely surprised. ¡°Really? Well, after dinner, let¡¯s head over to Derick¡¯s ce and


    y a few rounds.¡±


    Derick agreed, ¡°Sure, but here¡¯s the catch. If Maddie wins just one round out of five, it counts as


    your loss.¡±


    ¡°Deal!¡± Eden responded enthusiastically.


    They didn¡¯t ask if I was interested, but I didn¡¯t object either. This was the perfect opportunity for me


    to get closer to Eden, and perhaps eventually to Arthur.


    After dinner, we headed to the billiard hall together. Standing beside me, Derick whispered, ¡°Just


    y like you always do with me. No need to hold back.¡±


    I nodded. I grabbed a cue from the rack and approached the billiard table. Looking at Eden, I asked,


    ¡°So, if I win just one round, I win the bet, right?¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± Eden replied confidently.


    I then added, ¡°Is there a reward if I win?¡±


    Eden chuckled and looked over at Derick. ¡°Does Maddie want a prize?¡±


    Derick shrugged. ¡°You¡¯re more than capable of offering one.¡±


    ¡°Alright then,¡± Eden agreed with a smile. ¡°Name your prize, as long as it¡¯s within my power to give.¡±


    I paused for a moment before saying, ¡°If I win, I¡¯d like you to agree to one request, Mr. Griffins. Don¡¯t


    worry, it won¡¯t involve anything illegal or hical.¡±


    Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out!

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    Redmption 224


    Eden¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. Though his smile remained, it took on a more yful edge. It


    seemed he was considering something.


    I didn¡¯t concern myself with what he was pondering and went straight to the point. ¡°Mr. Griffins, if it¡¯s


    difficult for you, then never mind.¡±


    He chuckled awkwardly and said, ¡°There¡¯s nothing difficult about it. Even if you wanted me, I¡¯d


    dly agree.¡±


    His response was a bit too smooth. But before I could say anything, Derick cleared his throat twice,


    as if to remind Eden.


    Eden let out a mischievousugh and made a gesture at me. ¡°Ladies first.¡±


    I wasn¡¯t interested in dragging things out with him. Since he wanted me to start, I decided to finish it


    quickly. So, I took my cue and cleared the table without giving him a chance.


    Eden didn¡¯t look like someone who had lost a round. Instead, he apuded and said, ¡°As expected


    of Derick¡¯s sister! You really are something.¡±


    He added, ¡°I¡¯ll ept this loss. But you have to let me show my skills too, right?¡± As he spoke, he


    signaled to a nearby assistant to rearrange the balls.


    He picked up his cue and swiftly cleared the table, showing why he was a champion. The entire


    process was faster than I was by a minute.


    I didn¡¯t hold back my apuse and said, ¡°You¡¯re even better, Mr. Griffins.¡±


    ¡°ording to the rules we agreed on, you still won. So, what do you want me to promise you?¡±


    Eden said as he narrowed his eyes.


    I took a deep breath and said, ¡°I want to meet your father, Mr. Arthur.¡±


    His eyes darkened with a shadow of mncholy. I knew he was curious about my reason, so I


    exined directly, ¡°I have something that I need Mr. Arthur to authenticate.¡±


    Eden¡¯s furrowed brow rxed slightly. ¡°Oh, is it some sort of treasure?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± I replied, not disclosing what it was.


    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    Eden, being perceptive, didn¡¯t press further: After a brief silence, he said, ¡°Alright, I can bring you


    there, but


    11


    He paused, ncing at Derick and then back at me. ¡°My dad¡¯s health isn¡¯t very good right now, and


    he doesn¡¯t see outsiders.¡±


    This implied that even if he took me to see Arthur, it was unlikely I would meet him. I considered his


    words and realized he was setting a trap. I couldn¡¯t fall for it.


    So, I disyed a look of regret and said, ¡°In that case, never mind.¡±


    wasn¡¯t worried about my efforts being in vain. I had piqued his interest, and he was now, curious


    about what I wanted Arthur to authenticate.


    Eden¡¯s eyes narrowed again. He was clearly surprised that I wasn¡¯t ying along with his game. He


    stared at me for a few seconds, thenughed. ¡°You¡¯re not an easy target, are you?¡±


    He understood my tactic of pretending to give up. But I couldn¡¯t admit it. I defended myself, ¡°I don¡¯t


    like to force people.¡±


    ¡°I enjoy helping others,¡± Eden said.


    I breathed a sigh of relief. Eden signaled to the nearby assistant to reset the balls, then said,


    ¡°Maddie, how about this? Let¡¯s y a few more serious games.¡±


    My one clear shot had clearly sparked hispetitive spirit. At this point, I couldn¡¯t dampen his


    enthusiasm, and I had to satisfy his desire forpetition.


    I agreed and yed a few more rounds with him. I let him win four out of five games, ensuring he


    experienced the joy of victory.


    ¡°Maddie, are you holding back because you¡¯re looking down on me?¡± Eden said as we finished.

 Redmption 225

    Redmption 225


    I said modestly, ¡°No, it¡¯s just that you¡¯re more skilled. As you can see, I¡¯m just an amateur.¡±


    ¡°An amateur yer is still guided by a master. From your y, it doesn¡¯t seem like Derick was your


    instructor. Who taught you?¡± Eden inquired.


    All my skills in billiards came from learning from Chris. He never formally taught me, I just watched


    him y.


    N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    Later, when I got bored, I started practicing on my own. I observed Chris¡® techniques, so my style of


    y naturally mirrored his. When he noticed I could y well, he often asked me to join him for a


    game.


    Before I could respond, a familiar voice cut in, ¡°When did you be so gossipy, Mr. Griffins ?


    Always prying into everything?¡±


    I didn¡¯t turn around, but I recognized the voice immediately. Chris had arrived.


    The atmosphere was getting lively. He stood next to me, his presence making Eden understand


    everything without a word.


    ¡°So, that¡¯s why Maddie¡¯s ying style resembles yours. It turns out that¡­¡± Eden paused. His gaze


    shifted between me and Chris.


    Then, Eden¡¯s eyes widened with realization. ¡°Is Maddie your childhood bride?¡±


    The term ¡°childhood bride¡± brought back old memories. After I entered the Gildon family, a


    ssmate who knew I was to marry Chris called me his ¡°childhood bride¡°.


    Later, the ssmate who had stirred up themotion soon transferred schools. After that, no one


    used that term to refer to me anymore.


    ¡°Even if you don¡¯t speak, no one will think you¡¯re mute. If you want to y, I¡¯ll join you,¡± Chris said,


    passing


    his coat to me.


    His action was casual and natural, just like before.


    He discarded his clothes so quickly that I didn¡¯t even have a chance to refuse. But I wouldn¡¯t be like


    before, holding onto his clothes like a maid for the whole evening.


    I walked over to Derick, ced Chris¡® coat aside, and signaled for him to step out and talk with me.


    As soon as we stepped outside, Derick asked, ¡°What do you need to see Eden¡¯s father for? There


    are some people you should avoid getting involved with.¡±


    I swallowed my concern and replied, ¡°I don¡¯t want to either, but I have a reason.¡±


    Before Derick could say more, I cut him off, ¡°You haven¡¯t told me what you found out yet.¡±


    Derick looked at me with deeper, more contemtive eyes but no longer kept me guessing. He


    said, ¡°I Tooked into it. The owner of thatpany you mentioned is indeed Xander. As for the big


    boss you spoke


    of, there¡¯s no record of such a person.


    ¡°However, based on what you said, I looked into it further. When thepany was founded three


    years ago, Xander¡¯s ount received a sum of money, which he imed was from a friend with the


    last name Howell. Beyond that, there¡¯s no way to trace who the actual big boss might be.¡±


    Thest name Howell immediately caught my attention. It made me wary because Brandon¡¯sst


    name was Howell.


    ¡°Maddie,¡± Derick said as I was lost in thought. ¡°You don¡¯t seem quite righttely. Are you hiding


    225


    something?¡±


    I snapped back to reality and said, ¡°I didn¡¯t do anything. I was just curious about some things.¡±


    Derick noticed my reluctance to share and wore a light smile. ¡°If you need anything, you know where


    to find me. Also¡­¡±


    He nced toward the billiard room. ¡°Eden is a wild one, but he won¡¯t dare cause trouble here. If he


    does, just call me.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± I agreed. At that moment, a loud thud of a ball hitting something echoed from inside the


    room. Derick frowned, likely upset about his ball.


    I picked up on the hint and said, ¡°Derick, I¡¯ll head out now.¡±


    ¡°Be careful on your way home. Send me a message when you get there,¡± Derick said.


    I nodded and was about to leave when he asked, ¡°Since you¡¯ve moved out of the Gildon estate,


    where are you staying? Don¡¯t tell me it¡¯s a rented ce. I have plenty of properties. If you need a


    ce, just let me know. It¡¯s safer.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not that,¡± I said, then walked away.


    On my way back, I kept thinking about the person with thest name Howell who had invested in


    Xander¡¯spany.


    Even though I knew it couldn¡¯t be Brandon, when I ran into Brandon in the hallway upon returning, I


    still called out, ¡°Mr. Howell?¡±

 Redmption 226

    Redmption 226


    1/2


    Brandon looked puzzled. ¡°Hmm?¡±


    I stepped closer to him, so close that I could smell the soap from his recent shower. It had a


    pleasant


    scent.


    I remembered how, back when my parents were alive, our home always used bar soap for washing


    hands and bathing. Nowadays, people mostly used hand sanitizer or body wash, and it was rare to


    even smell the fragrance of bar soap.


    ¡°Are you wearing a disguise?¡± I asked, probing him.


    Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    Brandon furrowed his brow and nced at himself. ¡°How much have you had to drink? You seem


    off.¡±


    I had only had one drink, but he noticed it.


    His response made me smirk as I reached out and tugged on his shirt. ¡°Brandon, stop ying


    dumb. I¡¯m not talking about your clothes. I¡¯m asking if you¡¯re hiding something about your identity.


    Are you extremely wealthy? Maybe even a hidden big boss?¡±


    Brandon¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°I don¡¯t understand what you¡¯re saying.¡±


    He started to step back, trying to distance himself from me.


    ¡°Do you not understand, or are you pretending? Or is this all just an act?¡± I pressed, intentionally


    lingering


    close.


    Brandon said nothing. He just watched me as I stared back at him.


    Under the dim light in the stairwell, our gazes locked in a silent confrontation.


    shes of the small courtyard where Ellie lived crossed my mind, along with thoughts of her illness


    and my first impression of Brandon. Eventually, I looked away and chuckled. ¡°You¡¯re so poor, it


    couldn¡¯t be you.


    As I spoke, I let go and turned to head back to my room. However, Brandon stopped me and asked,


    ¡°Did you drive yourself?¡±


    Iughed. ¡°No, I had a chauffeur.¡±


    With that, I then yfully added, ¡°I value my life and don¡¯t want to endanger society.¡±


    The coldness in Brandon¡¯s eyes softened a bit as he reached out to pat my head. ¡°Good.¡±


    The gesture was reminiscent of soothing a child. I blinked at him. ¡°Brandon, I envy Ellie.¡±


    Brandon asked, ¡°Why?¡±


    I smiled slightly. ¡°She must have been very cherished by you.¡±


    Brandon¡¯s gaze grew more intense as he took my wrist and guided me into his room. ¡°Let me make


    you some tea.¡±


    I wanted to decline, but his warm hand was so inviting that I found myself following him back into his


    room. I really couldn¡¯t resist temptation.


    Before long, he had prepared a cup of tea for me. I noticed it was in a cartoon cup featuring a cat¡¯s


    head. This was clearly a cup meant for girls. But Ellie wasn¡¯t here¡­


    ¡°Whose cup is this? I don¡¯t want to use someone else¡¯s stuff,¡± I said, both deliberately and as a test.


    2/2


    ¡°It¡¯s yours. I bought it just for you.¡± Brandon¡¯s words made my heart skip a beat, and my cheeks


    flushed.


    I sipped the tea, and its sweetness gave me a feeling of being cherished.


    ¡°In the future, don¡¯t drink alcohol alone. It¡¯s not safe,¡± Brandon said.


    ¡°I was with Derick. I told you before that nothing would happen with him around,¡± I exined


    honestly.


    Brandon¡¯s expression darkened slightly, and he remained silent.


    I took another sip of the tea and then heard him ask, ¡°Do you really trust him that much?¡±


    ¡°Yes, he has always been good to me. He treats me like a sister.¡± I gently touched the cup.


    Brandon didn¡¯t respond. Then, I thought about Eden, whom I had met tonight. ¡°Guess who I had


    dinner with tonight?¡±


    ¡°Not Derick?¡± Brandon¡¯s tone was slightly off.


    I didn¡¯t dwell on it and said, ¡°I also had dinner with Eden, Arthur¡¯s son.¡±


    Brandon¡¯s expression immediately darkened. ¡°What are you nning to do?¡±


    I hesitated, wondering whether to tell him that Eden had agreed to take me to see Arthur.


    Before I could decide, Brandon said sternly, ¡°Madeline, I know what you¡¯re trying to investigate, but


    don¡¯t get involved. I will handle it.¡±


    Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out!


    X

 Redmption 227

    Redmption 227


    I thought of that contact. ¡°Your father¡¯s death was likely because of my father. I need to investigate


    this to get to the bottom of it.¡±


    Brandon looked at me. ¡°Did you find something out?¡±


    ¡°What about you? Why are you looking for Arthur? Why are you suspicious of him?¡± I turned the


    question back on him.


    He stood up and walked over to the window. His tall, strong figure looked like he could handle


    anything, even if the sky were to fall.


    Seeing him like that, I set down my teacup and walked over to the window. ¡°Brandon, I understand


    you must have discovered something too. This is dangerous, and you don¡¯t want me involved. But


    since this concerns my parents, there¡¯s no way I can stay out of it.¡±


    I gazed out at the moonlight. ¡°I¡¯m not that foolish. I can take care of myself. Besides, you¡¯re here


    with me, right?¡±


    Brandon nced at me. After a moment, he finally said, ¡°You¡¯re just as stubborn as you were when


    you were a kid.¡±


    I smiled at his words and turned to face him. ¡°Brandon, you must¡¯ve known my identity for a while.


    Did you approach me just to investigate your father¡¯s death?¡±


    His brows furrowed. ¡°Is that what you think?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    His lips parted as if he was about to say something, but then just gave a helpless smile. ¡°Is my


    charm that worthless to you?¡±


    I didn¡¯t quite get what he meant. ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°Heartless,¡± Brandon muttered. Then, he stepped away from the window and said, ¡°Finish your tea


    and go to sleep.¡±


    ¡°And you? What are you going to do?¡± I couldn¡¯t believe I blurted out


    another question like that.


    Without turning around, he walked into his bedroom. Just before closing the door, he replied,


    ¡°Read.¡±


    I watched the door shut and couldn¡¯t help but smile. I finished the tea, then looked at the cartoon


    cup he had gotten just for me and gave it a quick kiss before heading to my room.


    Iy down on the couch and sent a text to Derick, letting him know I was


    home.


    Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    Then I made a video call to Lisa. I thought it would be another one of those times she wouldn¡¯t pick


    up, but this time she did.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you go to work today?¡± I asked when I saw she was at home.


    ¡°Day off,¡± she replied.


    ¡°Hmm, you¡¯re wearing makeup? Did you go out? On a date?¡± I noticed something was off from the


    video call with Lisa.


    She turned the camera away. ¡°No, you¡¯re mistaken.¡±


    ¡°Stop avoiding me and juste clean,¡± I said. I was fully aware of her


    reserved demeanor.


    Lisa adjusted the camera back but had already wiped off her lipstick from her lips. ¡°What¡¯s there to


    exin? Isn¡¯t it all for your future sister¨Cinw?¡±


    I was surprised. ¡°You went to see your senior, Keith Marrow? Didn¡¯t you say we were going to see


    him together next week?¡±


    ¡°He came back early, and the professor arranged a meeting for us,¡± Lisa exined briefly.


    But I already grasped the main point. ¡°So, how did it go?¡±


    ¡°What do you mean, how did it go?¡± Lisa brushed it off with a casual tone.


    ¡°I mean your situation with Keith. Is he still single?¡± I asked.


    Lisa snickered on the other end. ¡°Maddie, shouldn¡¯t you be more concerned about what he has to


    say about your future sister¨Cinw¡¯s


    3/3


    situation?¡±


    ¡°I am concerned, but I¡¯m just as interested in your situation too. I don¡¯t prioritize romance over


    friendship,¡± I teased and gave her a yful wink.


    Lisa huffed. ¡°Stop it. You¡¯re just nosy.¡±


    ¡°Come on, tell me,¡± I urged eagerly.


    I wanted to know Ellie¡¯s condition and whether Lisa had any chance with Keith.


    ¡°Do you really want to know?¡± Lisa asked.


    ¡°Absolutely, I¡¯m very eager to know,¡± I replied sincerely.


    Lisa pressed her lips together. ¡°Your future sister¨Cinw¡¯s surgery shouldn¡¯t be a major issue. They


    performed a simr surgeryst year, and it was very sessful.¡±


    I felt a surge of relief. ¡°That¡¯s great.¡±


    ¡°Is he single now?¡± I asked next.


    Just then, a notification popped up on Instagram with a friend request from Eden.

 Redmption 228

    Redmption 228


    The fact that Eden added me, and sote at night¡­


    My intuition told me that something was wrong.


    Even though Derick had assured me that Eden wouldn¡¯t dare do anything in his presence, I still had


    to be cautious.


    Besides, a woman epting a man¡¯s friend request always seemed a bit frivolous, especially at


    midnight.


    I acted as if I hadn¡¯t seen the friend request and continued chatting with Lisa. She responded, ¡°The


    sessful surgery he did before was performed with his partner.¡±


    I could clearly sense the mncholy in Lisa¡¯s voice.


    Having experienced love myself, I understood how important it was for partners to be in sync and


    well¨Cmatched. Although Lisa was excellent in her field, there was still a difference whenpared


    to someone with international acim like Keith.


    There was a reason for the disparity between them.


    I didn¡¯t continue on this topic with Lisa. After chatting about other things, I


    ended the call and stared at Eden¡¯s friend request for a while.


    I felt that he was a dangerous person. But to uncover the truth behind my


    dad¡¯s death, I had no choice but to take this risk.


    As I was about to put my phone down, another message came in from Chris. ¡°Stay away from


    Eden!¡±


    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    His tone was strikingly simr to Brandon¡¯s.


    N knew he was concerned, but his concern no longer held much weight for


    1. me.


    1 ignored it and went to sleep.


    I had to admit that the whiskey I drank at the barbecue stall near the


    Chap 228


    neighborhood gate when I got back had quite a kick. Even Brandon¡¯s tea couldn¡¯t help, and I was so


    tired that I went to bed without even taking a shower.


    The next morning, I woke up early, practiced some yoga, and made a cup of coffee before


    epting Eden¡¯s friend request.


    At this time, he was likely still asleep. Hence, I didn¡¯t have to worry about receiving a message from


    him right away.


    When I arrived at the Hueton Corporation, Xander was already there. He gave me a strange look,


    but he didn¡¯t say anything.


    I hadn¡¯t been in for a few days, so there was a backlog of tasks. I worked until noon to get


    everything sorted out.


    When I stood up, stretching and preparing to head to the cafeteria for lunch, Xander knocked on my


    door. ¡°Ms. Crown, would you like to have lunch together?¡±


    It was obvious he had an agenda, as his gaze was anything but straightforward.


    I smiled lightly. ¡°Sure.¡±


    Xander looked at the food on my te and said, ¡°Why are you eating so little? Are you on a diet?


    Your figure is just right as it is. You shouldn¡¯t lose any more weight. Women who are too thin don¡¯t


    look good.¡±


    Despite being the Hueton Corporation¡¯s boss and being quite authoritative with others, he seemed


    to be trying to please me. It was almost as if he was afraid of upsetting me.


    Looking at the food on my te, I thought of Brandon¡¯s cooking and admitted, ¡°I¡¯m not on a diet. My


    taste buds have been spoiled.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Xander looked momentarily puzzled. Then, he seemed to recall something and nodded in


    understanding. ¡°Oh, I see.¡±


    He must think that I grew up at the Gildon estate and have be spoiled by their food.


    Little did he know, it was Brandon who had spoiled me.


    Thinking about how Brandon mentioned he would cook something


    delicious tonight made me look forward to the evening. I didn¡¯t even feel like eating the food in front


    of me.


    ¡°How about I take you out for a nice meal?¡± Xander suddenly suggested.


    Such enthusiasm¡­


    ¡°No, no. That¡¯s not necessary,¡± I quickly declined, picking up a bite of food.


    ¡°Ms. Crown, if I may ask, is that gentleman you were with yesterday really your boyfriend?¡±


    Xander¡¯s question made it clear why he had been giving me strange looks since he saw me today.


    I recalled Brandon¡¯s assessment of him and couldn¡¯t help but smile faintly. ¡°What did you think of


    him?¡±


    ¡°He seems okay, but he doesn¡¯t strike me as the kind of person who would giye someone a sense


    of security,¡± Xander answered, not as bluntly as Brandon.


    I took a sip of my soup, and Xander continued, ¡°A delicate and beautiful girl like you should be with


    a tougher man.¡±


    Spin to im Your Surprise Reward!

 Redmption 229

    Redmption 229


    Xander¡¯s description of a tough man immediately brought Brandon to


    mind. I recalled what Derick had said about Xander¡¯s friend with thest name Howell who had


    invested arge sum of money into hispany.


    I looked at Xander. ¡°When you say tough man, what exactly do you mean? Do you happen to have


    such a friend, Mr. Roulder?¡±


    Xander cleared his throat. ¡°It¡¯s hard to describe. It¡¯s about having a strong, upright presence, like¡­


    like those on the screen.¡±


    He pointed to therge TV in the cafeteria, which was showing news footage of g bearers


    standing in perfect military posture. Each of them looked stern and resolute.


    I couldn¡¯t help but think of Brandon again, and I sensed that Xander was implying something.


    I couldn¡¯t help but think, ¡°Is his surname Howell? A tough man? A soldier- like figure? Isn¡¯t that


    Brandon?¡±


    I looked at Xander, who was still staring at the screen, seemingly lost in thought. I decided to ask


    abruptly, ¡°Do you have a friend named Brandon, Mr. Roulder?¡±


    ¡°Hmm? What did you say?¡± Xander turned and looked at me.


    It was unclear whether he hadn¡¯t heard me or was deliberately pretending not to understand.


    ¡°Do you have a friend named Brandon?¡± I repeated.


    ¡°Brandon?¡± Xander echoed, shaking his head. ¡°No, who is that?¡±


    He smiled at me and looked directly at me, but I could sense that his gaze was evasive.


    forced a smile. ¡°The tough man you mentioned, Mr. Roulder.¡±


    Xander chuckled awkwardly. ¡°Oh, really? Does such


    your rtionship with this tough man? Is it good?¡±


    I noticed his curiosity and added, ¡°You seem quite interested in this tough friend of mine. Would you


    like me to introduce you sometime?¡±


    Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    ¡°Sure, but¡­ is it convenient?¡± Xander hesitated, clearly reluctant.


    ¡°Is it not convenient?¡± I asked deliberately.


    Xander smiled politely. ¡°It¡¯s just that I¡¯m concerned about


    misunderstandings. Your friend from yesterday seemed to have an issue with me and pretended to


    be your boyfriend.¡±


    I didn¡¯t answer his question and instead asked, ¡°Does Mr. Roulder have a


    friend with the surname Howell? What¡¯s his name?¡±


    ¡°I¡­ do¡­¡± Xander¡¯s tongue stumbled over his words. ¡°I call him Stephen.¡±


    ¡°Oh, how old is he?¡± I continued probing.


    Xander¡¯s expression grew a bit tense. ¡°He¡¯s not really old, but not young either. He¡¯s in his 30s. Still,


    he doesn¡¯t have a girlfriend.¡±


    I nodded lightly. ¡°Is it possible for me to meet him sometime?¡±


    ¡°Hmm?¡± Xander¡¯s eyes widened with surprise and a hint of fear.


    I smiled. ¡°Mr. Roulder, you said he doesn¡¯t have a girlfriend, and I happen to be single myself¡­¡±


    Xander¡¯s mouth twitched slightly, and he chuckled awkwardly. ¡°Ms. Crown, I didn¡¯t expect you to be


    so direct, actually trying to y matchmaker for yourself. I¡¯m surprised.¡±


    He gave me a thumbs¨Cup as he spoke.


    ¡°There are few good men in this world, so if there¡¯s a chance for me to get with someone who


    seems suitable, I should give it a try. Isn¡¯t it said that happiness must be fought for?¡± I teased him.


    Xander was at a loss for words and could only agree. ¡°Yes, yes. Ms. Crown, you¡¯re indeed


    exceptional.¡±


    ¡°So, Mr. Roulder, are you willing to help me set up a meeting with your


    friend, Stephen?¡± I pressed on.


    ¡°Sure, sure.¡± Xander forced a smile that didn¡¯t reach his eyes. ¡°But I need to check with Stephen


    first because he¡­ had a crush on someone, and it seems there¡¯s some progress with her.¡±


    ¡°I see,¡± I said with a hint of regret.


    ¡°Yeah, so it¡¯s unlikely he¡¯ll be interested in meeting you.¡± Xander used this reason to decline.


    But my interest in his friend with thest name Howell only grew. I wasn¡¯t deterred. ¡°As long as he


    isn¡¯t married, I¡¯ll still give it a try. Who knows, he might find me more suitable after he meets me.¡±


    Xander was speechless. Now, I hadpletely baffled him.


    ¡°Mr. Roulder, do me a favor and help arrange this. It¡¯s said that ying matchmaker can add ten


    years to one¡¯s life and bring more blessings and fortune,¡± I said with a smile.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be waiting for your good news,¡± I added.

 Redmption 230

    Redmption 230


    I had put Xander in a difficult position.


    mysterious big boss behind him might be


    ped to uncover who the


    I internally dismissed the idea that the person could be Brandon because he was too poor and


    didn¡¯t seem to fit the profile of someone wealthy However, various feelings made me think that the


    big boss behind Xander


    sembled Brandon.


    in the afternoon, I opened Instagram after a meeting. I looked at my newly added friend Eden on


    instagram. The chat interface showed nothing but the notification that we were now following each


    other, with no messages exchanged.


    At this time, he must have seen my friend request eptance but chose to ignore it. Clearly, this


    was his way of showing displeasure over my refusal to ept his friend requestst night.


    This man was someone to be cautious about. From this small gesture, it was evident that he held


    grudges and was likely to retaliate. I now


    understood why both Brandon and Chris had warned me to stay away


    from him.


    But I had already engaged with Eden, and pretending not to know him was not an option. Even if he


    was keeping his distance now, since he had shown interest, he would likely make another move. All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    For now, the best strategy was to do nothing but wait


    At 5:00 pm, I left work and headed home. At this hour, the neighbors had not yet started cooking


    dinner and were outside with their kids or chatting.


    ¡°Maddie, you¡¯re back? Lara, who lived downstairs, had be familiar with me and greeted me


    warmly.


    ¡°Yes, Mrs. Bishop. You haven¡¯t started cooking yet?¡± I asked in return.


    This way of greeting might seem like small talk, but it could really make people feel much closer to


    each other


    2/3


    ¡°I just got back from grocery shopping, and haven¡¯t started cooking yet. Unlike you, who¡¯s fortunate


    enough to have a boyfriend who can cook.¡± Lara pouted and pointed upstairs.


    So, Brandon was already back. I went upstairs and knocked on Brandon¡¯s door. His pleasant voice


    came from inside. ¡°The door isn¡¯t locked.¡±


    I pushed the door open gently, and the aroma of food immediately filled my senses. It instantly


    stimted my appetite since I had only eaten a little for lunch and had been hungry all day.


    The kitchen extractor fan was humming as I walked over and stood at the door. ¡°You¡¯re making it


    smell so good that Mrs. Bishop downstairs is probably getting envious.¡±


    Brandon nced back at me and said, ¡°Go wash your hands. The freshly squeezed watermelon


    juice is in the fridge.¡±


    At that moment, I was almost convinced that Brandon had installed a


    surveince device in my mind. He seemed to know exactly what I was


    thinking.


    I had been craving watermelon juice since I saw it being sold on my way home. Then, I came home


    to find that he had already prepared it for me.


    ¡°Brandon, are you trying to win me over with your looks and delicious food? ¡°I smiled.


    He didn¡¯t respond, so I washed my hands and went into the kitchen to get the watermelon juice from


    the fridge.


    However, the kitchen was too small. To get to the refrigerator, I had to walk around Brandon. I


    wanted to ask him to get it, but he was currently busy chopping vegetables.


    ¡°Could you move aside? I need to get it.¡± I signaled Brandon to make some


    space.


    He shifted closer to the stove, allowing me to open the fridge and get the juice. As I was about to


    head out with the watermelon juice, Brandon¡¯s phone started ringing in his pocket.


    ¡°Could you grab it for me?¡± Brandon asked naturally.


    I didn¡¯t think much of it, so I reached into his pocket. As soon as my hand went in, I felt Brandon¡¯s


    body tense up


    I could feel the heat of his skin through the thin fabric, and my fingers instinctively pulled back.


    Brandon seemed to tense even more at my reaction. The unfamiliar sensation made my finger feel


    clumsy Using my left hand, which was less dexterous than my right, made it even harder to retrieve


    the phone.


    The phone kept ringing. With the added heat from the stove in the kitchen, I felt a thinyer of sweat


    forming on my back


    ¡°Let me do it,¡± Brandon said when he saw me struggling to get it after searching for a while. He


    wiped his hands and reached for the phone himself.


    Just then, I managed to grab his phone. When his hand reached over, it wrapped around mine.


    The space was so cramped that our bodies were almost pressed together. Now, with him holding


    my hand like this, I felt a warmth spreading through

 Redmption 231

    Redmption 231


    The incessant ringing of the phone suddenly stopped.


    In an instant, the only sounds remaining were the crackling of the stove and the racing of Brandon¡¯s


    and my heartbeats.


    With the proximity, our breaths intertwined. I could clearly see the flicker of desire in Brandon¡¯s


    eyes.


    I had a strong premonition that something was about to happen.


    Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, followed by Lara¡¯s voice from downstairs. ¡°Brandon,


    Brandon, the water in my house is running very slowly. Could youe help me figure out what¡¯s


    wrong?¡±


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    Brandon¡¯s body, which had been pressed closely against mine, pulled back. Seizing the


    opportunity, I quickly escaped and plopped down on the couch.


    After a moment, Brandon emerged from the kitchen and went to open the door. ¡°Mrs. Bishop, I¡¯ll


    come check it for you.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡± Lara nced into the room and naturally noticed me. She politely greeted me, ¡°Maddie,


    I¡¯m just borrowing Brandon for a moment.¡±


    I thought to myself, ¡°Heh¡­ Such a statement.¡±


    But I yed along and replied, ¡°Mrs. Bishop, borrow him quickly and return him promptly. If you


    don¡¯t, it¡¯ll be hard to borrow him again.¡±


    ¡°No problem.¡± Laraughed, and Brandon followed her out.


    I let out a sigh of relief. Then, I enjoyed some of the watermelon juice and -returned to my room.


    Brandon came to call me about half an hourter.


    Time had been kind, and the awkwardness from earlier had dissipated. I asked casually, ¡°What¡¯s


    going on with the water at Mrs. Bishop¡¯s ce?¡±


    ¡°The faucet was clogged with mineral deposits. I just reced it with a


    new one.¡±


    I thought about the uing demolition of the building. ¡°By the way, you know this ce is being


    torn down, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    I remembered he had mentioned moving back. ¡°Well, you¡¯re a tenant, so you¡¯ll be leaving


    anyway.¡°.


    ¡°What about you?¡± Brandon asked in return. ¡°Where will you move to?¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t decided yet.¡± I didn¡¯t mention my ns to buy a house.


    Brandon¡¯s gaze deepened, but he didn¡¯t press further.


    The meals he cooked were delicious. I even thought that if Brandon ever disappeared from my life, I


    might not find joy in eating anything else.


    After dinner, Brandon and I headed to the amusement park.


    ¡°Kara isn¡¯t here?¡± I asked curiously, noticing it was just the two of us.


    Brandon replied, ¡°No need for her.¡±


    Iughed. ¡°Brandon, it feels a bit like you¡¯re trying to cut ties after getting what you wanted from


    her.¡±


    Brandon didn¡¯t respond and led me further inside. I looked around at the illuminated lights. ¡°The


    lighting looks good now. We¡¯ll need to check the overall effectter.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, didn¡¯t you say that the best observation point is on the Ferris wheel? Let¡¯s go there and


    check it out.


    ¡°Brandon, I didn¡¯t expect you to actually meet the deadline,¡± I said with


    some surprise.


    ¡°If I promise you something, I¡¯ll make sure it¡¯s done,¡± Brandon said matter- of¨Cfactly, but I heard


    something more in his tone.


    This wasn¡¯t the first time he had spoken like this. I knew he was saying it on purpose for me to


    hear.


    I tilted my head and said, ¡°Brandon, I¡¯ve realized you¡¯re quite skilled.¡±


    et was about to engrunda fundar gure guddenly appeared in my


    ialogped in my trake i rm at the gifficuenter under the dan


    whats wong man Mint and


    allowing y we er how Chere alring of far away

 Redmption 232

    Redmption 232


    Chris was here too, which was beyond my expectations. However, it was understandable.


    Today was the day for the lighting test. So it made sense for him, as the park amusement¡¯s owner,


    to check things out in advance.


    While we exchanged nces, Chris had already walked over.


    My hand felt warm as Brandon took it.


    I had to admit that when it came to ying my boyfriend¡¯s role, Brandon excelled. As soon as Chris


    appeared, Brandon¡¯s assertive dominance seemed to kick in immediately.


    Chris¡® gaze swept over our tightly sped hands. His expression showed little displeasure, and his


    tone was calm and collected. ¡°What time does it start?¡±


    We both understood what he meant. He was here to check the lighting test.


    ¡°In ten minutes,¡± Brandon replied.


    ¡°Where are the observation points?¡± Chris asked.


    Brandon¡¯s grip on my hand tightened slightly. I looked at him, and he stared back at me. His gaze


    seemed to ask for my input.


    He had been here countless times and should be familiar with it. He deferred to me simply to follow


    my opinion.


    ¡°The observation points differ by area, and there are signs for each. The main observation point is


    the Ferris wheel.¡± I provided the official answer.


    Chris¡® gaze settled on my face before shifting to Brandon. ¡°Where will you be observing?¡±


    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    I wondered if he was nning to join us, but he didn¡¯t seem to mind.


    Then again, he was now involved with someone else and had long-


    on from our past. There was nothing awkward about it.


    ¡°Mae and I will do a preliminary check first, and also¡­¡±


    Brandon paused and said, ¡°Tonight isn¡¯t the official test. It¡¯s just that I want to check the lighting


    effect with Mae.¡±


    Chris¡® eyes shed with a hint of something before he replied softly.¡± Alright.¡±


    I wasn¡¯t sure what he meant by ¡°alright¡±


    I didn¡¯t know what he meant and Brandon didn¡¯t care about it. He simply said to Chris, ¡°Mr. Gildon,


    feel free to look around. We¡¯ll take a look first.¡±


    Brandon led me away. When we passed by Chris, I felt a coldness emanating from him.


    ¡®If you see any issues, let me know,¡± Brandon instructed me.


    But I knew there wouldn¡¯t be any issues. If there were, he wouldn¡¯t have


    brought me here.


    As I walked leisurely with Brandon through the brilliant disy, it was incredibly romantic, but I


    couldn¡¯t fully enjoy it.


    Having an ex¨Cboyfriend following behind made it hard for me to treat him as if he didn¡¯t exist or as


    just a stranger.


    Brandon waspletely at ease. He would asionally exin the


    details of the lighting setup¨Cwhat issues were with the lights, and which


    ones were rted to the power


    Gradually, I began to rx


    I even had the feeling that Chris had left us. But when Brandon took me to


    the Ferris wheel, I realized I was wrong


    Chris had been following right behind us the whole way. Brandon and I


    weren¡¯t being overly intimate. We were just holding hands, but it was still enough to sting for Chris


    But he kept following us. I wondered if he was trying to torture himself.


    3/3


    I almost forgot that he didn¡¯t care for me. However, if he didn¡¯t, he wouldn¡¯t be suffering.


    I shouldn¡¯t dwell on it but thinking about it still made me ufortable.


    It was really disheartening to feel like my enthusiasm had been wasted.


    ¡°Mr. Gildon, do you want to go up and have a look too?¡± Brandon politely asked Chris.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Chris replied. His tone was unusually subdued and calm.


    It was very different from the difort he showed when he saw Brandon and me together.


    ¡°Please, go ahead.¡± Brandon was unusually polite to him tonight as well.


    Chris, being in a higher position, naturally walked toward the open


    observation cabin.


    Brandon then looked at me and said, ¡°Let¡¯s go up as well.¡±

 Redmption 233

    Redmption 233


    My throat tightened. I wondered if Brandon intended for Chirs to share an


    Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    observation cabin with us.


    Just as I was about to say something, Brandon took my hand and led me to another observation


    cabin.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to take this one?¡± Chris¡® voice came from behind.


    ¡°It¡¯s not convenient, Brandon said as he helped me into the observation cabin.


    He stepped in and closed the cabin door


    Through the ss of the cabin, I saw Chris¡® expression darken. His eyes shed with intense


    anger.


    He was really upset.


    Was this intentional?¡± I asked Brandon


    ¡°Yes,¡± Brandon admitted with a confident smile.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t want to share a cabin with him¡± His tone was both proud and a bit childish


    I couldn¡¯t help butugh.


    I had to admit, Brandon was full of surprises. One moment he was a tough guy, the next a warm,


    caring partner. Now, he was being adorably childish. ¡°Brandon,¡± I called out


    ¡°Yes?¡± He looked at me, his eyes sparkling in the light.


    ¡°You¡¯re very cute.¡± As I said this, the music inside the Ferris wheel began to


    start


    That was perfect timing.


    ¡°What?¡± Brandon seemed either not to have heard me correctly or was taken aback by my


    compliment


    I smiled and didn¡¯t repeat myself. Instead, I looked out at the lights.


    As the Ferris wheel ascended, the entire amusement park came into view.


    I saw the carousel, the roller coaster, thezy river, and the entire park shrinking beneath me. I also


    saw the surrounding skyscrapers and the bustling city below.


    As the lights changed in a dazzling disy, my gaze was drawn back to the amusement park.


    The amusement park¡¯s interior was designed for fun, while the exterior was meant for admiration.


    The dazzling city lights were the soul of the amusement park and the brightest star in Hilcord.


    So, this amusement park was not just a simple ce for entertainment. It was also a newndmark


    for Hilcord.


    ¡°Mae, I got you this. Do you like it?¡± I suddenly recalled Chris¡® words when he first presented the


    amusement park¡¯s blueprint to me.


    That moment made me think he loved me.


    Otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t have known about my dream of an amusement park. This was also a dream


    shared with my dad.


    Chris made that dreame true, but it ended before it could be fully realized.


    The lights kept changing, each color with its unique meaning. Blue symbolized deep affection, red


    represented prosperity, and purple denoted depth and persistence¡­


    When selecting the amusement park¡¯s lightning, severalpaniespeted. I ultimately chose


    the one Brandon worked for.


    Watching the intery of colors now, I realized that when I decided on these lights, my fate with


    Brandon had already begun to intertwine.


    I nced at him just as the Ferris wheel reached its highest point.


    ¡°Do you know the legend of the Ferris wheel?¡± Brandon asked softly as he looked up at the stars.


    I pressed my lips together. ¡°I don¡¯t know the legend, but I¡¯ve heard that making a wish when the


    Ferris wheel is at its highest point will make ite true.¡±


    ¡°Do you want to make a wish?¡® Brandon gazed at me.


    At that moment, his eyes shone brightly, like stars fallen from the night sky.


    I pondered for a couple of seconds and shook my head. ¡°No, I won¡¯t.¡± ¡°Why not?¡±


    I gave a wry smile. ¡°Because then it won¡¯te true.¡±


    When I was a child, I would make a wish on my birthday. I hoped that my parents would always love


    me and that we would stay together forever.


    But fate cruelly took them away.


    ¡°Make a wish. I¡¯ll help you make ite true,¡± Brandon said as he moved behind me and gently


    covered my eyes with

 Redmption 234

    Redmption 234


    The world of vibrant colors vanished under Brandon¡¯s hands, leaving my


    world in darkness. However, I wasn¡¯t scared at all.


    He was right beside me, and his warmth was moreforting than any light.


    ¡°Make a wish. From now on, with me by your side, your wishes wille true.¡± Brandon¡¯s deep


    voice whispered in my ear, like the notes of a cello.


    The music in the observation cabin was soft. My heart began to rx, and slowly let go of its


    tension.


    He wanted me to make a wish and I pondered what I should wish for.


    Since my parents passed away, I didn¡¯t know if I had any wishes left. When I was with Chris, my


    wish was probably just for us tost forever.


    But that was something I only wished for in my heart, and never really


    vocalized.


    Now, I needed to make a wish¡­


    I asked myself what I wanted, but I wasn¡¯t sure.


    In the end, I thought of my parents and their death. I murmured, ¡°I hope to find out the truth behind


    my parents¡® ident.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll help with that,¡± Brandon immediately agreed.


    I smiled and then pulled his hand away. ¡°Then why make a wish when I could just tell you directly?¡±


    ¡°Then you wasted a good opportunity,¡± Brandon said as he tapped my


    head.


    I smirked. ¡°I stopped believing in this a long time ago.¡±


    Saying that, I looked toward the dazzling lights. ¡°Since my parents¡® death, I no longer believed in


    divine protection.¡±


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    My head felt warm again, but this time Brandon wasn¡¯t just patting it. He was rubbing it. ¡°From now


    on, believe in me.¡±


    He wanted to be my guardian, to give me protection.


    But he didn¡¯t know that I only trusted myself to protect me.


    The lights brightened once more, and it almost illuminated the entire night sky. The lights in the


    amusement park were ever¨Cchanging. They never remained the same, ensuring you never saw the


    same light twice.


    It could be said that the investment in the amusement park¡¯s lighting project ounted for one¨Cthird


    of the total investment.


    ¡°This design of the Heart of the Ocean is one of my favorites,¡± I openly expressed my delight.


    ¡°There¡¯s an even better oneing up,¡± Brandon replied with his usual confidence.


    The lights that followed were more dazzling than thest, and I waspletely immersed in the


    disy.


    I didn¡¯t even notice that Brandon was holding me from behind, nor did I remember Chris in the


    opposing observation cabin.


    It wasn¡¯t until I waspletely absorbed in the beautiful light, joyfully turning to share my


    excitement with Brandon, that I suddenly noticed Chris standing in the cabin across from us.


    Chris was looking at me, just watching. Although I couldn¡¯t see his expression, I could sense his


    calm demeanor.


    The calmness was almost eerie.


    In that instant, all my nerves went rigid.


    Even though I had moved on from Chris, he had been a part of my life for ten years. I couldn¡¯t just


    see him as a stranger, especially not at this moment. This made me feel as though I had deeply


    hurt him.


    Brandon noticed my distress. Without saying a word, he held me tighter and then whispered softly


    in my ear, ¡°There¡¯s a special light disy just for


    3/3


    you.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± 1 snapped back to reality.


    Brandon had already taken out his phone and pressed a few buttons. Suddenly, all the lights went


    out.


    At that moment, the colorful amusement park turned pitch ck. It feltpletely different from


    when Brandon had covered my eyes earlier.


    It was as if I had fallen into an abyss¡­


    I instinctively grabbed onto Brandon. Before I could speak, the darkness was quickly reced by


    bright lights once again.


    The previously extinguished lights came back on, shifting rapidly.to a deep sea blue. The entire


    amusement park transformed into an ocean, with


    lights shifting like rolling waves.


    This dynamic and three¨Cdimensional effect hadn¡¯t been in the original concept images.


    ¡°Is this a new addition? Did it go through¡­¡± I began to ask, but my words were cut off as the blue


    sea lights began to change once more.


    Inside, there was a four¨Cdimensional silhouette. As the lights around the silhouette grew denser and


    brighter, I clearly saw that it was a young girl. She had her hair styled in a bun and was wearing a


    princess dress.


    Spin to im Your Surprise Reward!

 Redmption 235

    Redmption 235


    The girl in the waves reminded me of the mermaid from fairy tales.


    She ran so joyfully, standing on the crest of the waves and asionally spinning around.


    It was stunning and incredibly vibrant. It was as if this wasn¡¯t just a lighting disy, but a real young


    girl on the crest of the waves.


    I couldn¡¯t help but hold my breath. I didn¡¯t even want to blink, afraid that I might miss something if I


    did.


    Suddenly, with arge ssh, another figure appeared on the crest of the


    waves.


    It was a boy.


    The boy was tall, and he looked at the girl.


    The girl looked back at him. A few secondster, she ran toward him.¡± Bran, my name is Mae.


    What¡¯s your name?¡±


    Hearing this, my heart jolted. The girl ying in the waves was me.


    ¡°Bran, don¡¯t run away¡­¡±


    ¡°Bran, wait for me¡­¡±


    The boy stopped, extending his hand toward the girl. They held hands and ran together.


    ¡°Bran, I¡¯m tired. Carry me.¡±


    ¡°Bran, run faster¡­¡±


    The girl climbed onto the boy¡¯s back as they both stood on the crest of the


    waves.


    My eyes filled with tears. This was Brandon using lights to show me a memory from my childhood.


    N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    The dreams I had weren¡¯t just dreams. They were real events.


    ¡°Bran, when I grow up, I¡¯ll marry you.¡±


    ¡°Bran, you have to wait for me. Don¡¯t you forget okay¡­¡±


    As the scene changed conantly, I understood everything. Brandon¡¯s presence in my life wasn¡¯t


    nned or deliberate. It was his promise to me.


    The lights were magnificent, making me feel as though I was in a fairy tale or transported back to


    my childhood.


    As the lights came to an end, I saw my parents. They looked just as I remembered them, embracing


    each other and looking at me. They said.¡± Mae, be happy.¡±


    I didn¡¯t know how my tears started flowing. I only knew that by the end of the light show, I was


    crying uncontrobly.


    Brandon held me gently. ¡°Your mom and dad are watching. If you cry like


    thes, it will hurt them.¡±


    His words made me even more upset. No one knew how much I missed my parents. I thought I


    would never see them again, but Brandon used Artificial Intelligence to bring them back


    ¡°You can say whatever you want to them.¡± Brandon¡¯s words surprised me.


    I had so much to say. But at that moment, I couldn¡¯t find the words. Deep down, I knew that what I


    was seeing was just an illusion.


    In the end, I said nothing and just continued to look at them.


    I didn¡¯t notice when the Ferris wheel started moving again. When it


    stopped, I saw Chris out of the other cabin.


    He walked over here. His face was filled with anger, and he yanked open the cabin door. ¡°Brandon,


    come out now


    His tone was harsh, making me look up


    Chris gaze darkened slightly when he saw my eyes welling up with tears. It seemed that my crying


    had taken him by surprise.


    Brandon ignored Chris. Instead, he gently wiped my tears away and said


    softly, ¡°Take your time here.¡±


    He patted the back of my head and then stepped out of the observation cabin.


    However, I held onto his hand.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± Brandon said. He gently freed his hand before walking toward Chris.

 Redmption 236

    Redmption 236


    Chris said, ¡°You¡¯re despicable.¡±


    He then grabbed Brandon by the cor. My nerves got to me, and I started to move toward them.


    But then I heard Brandon speak calmly, ¡°Is your idea of despicable that I¡¯m treating Mae with a care


    you never bothered to show her, Mr. Gildon?¡±


    Chris¡® eyes narrowed. ¡°Brandon, these cheap tricks you use to impress a girl won¡¯t fool Maddie. She


    doesn¡¯t like this kind of fantasy, you know?¡±


    I thought, ¡°Don¡¯t I? Is it true?¡±


    I once told Chris that I didn¡¯t. I remember our first Valentine¡¯s Day after we officially became a


    couple. He didn¡¯t get me any gifts, not even a dinner.


    The next day, we happened to have a meal with Derick and a few others. Derick yfully teased


    me, asking how Chris had spent our first Valentine¡¯s Day together.


    Back then, I felt utterly humiliated. Later, Chris apologized, iming he had simply forgotten. I had


    no choice but to y along, pretending I wasn¡¯t into those things.


    But I wondered¨Cwhat kind of girl wouldn¡¯t like flowers and romance? He just never gave me any.


    ¡°Do you still think she doesn¡¯t like it?¡± Brandon asked quietly.


    Chris turned to look at me. I didn¡¯t know if he could see the tears on my face, but he had seen them


    earlier. If he had any sense at all, he would know why I was crying.


    The tears weren¡¯t just because Brandon had brought my parents back through technology, allowing


    me to see them again. They were also tears of gratitude, of joy, for how much effort Brandon put


    into this for me.


    Brandon¡¯s love for me showed in the smallest details. Every meal he cooked, the way he quietly


    protected me, even the personalized


    light


    he created¨Cthese were all expressions of his love.


    After a long moment, Chris finally looked away. However, his expression


    was still cold as he stared at Brandon. ¡°Maddie loves me. We¡¯ve been


    together for ten years. She would give up her life for me.¡±


    Brandon remained silent. Chris sneered. ¡°Don¡¯t you believe me? Have you noticed the small scar on


    her left middle finger? That¡¯s the proof.¡±


    1 instinctively pulled my hand away. So, he remembered the injury I got for


    him.


    But I wondered if he still remembered his promise. His promise to make up for the missing piece


    with a ring.


    No, he didn¡¯t. If he had, he wouldn¡¯t have been involved with a widow


    behind my back.


    ¡°But how have you treated the girl who would risk her life for you?¡± Brandon countered.


    Chris was taken aback. Brandon¡¯s hand gripped Chris¡® wrist tightly. His voice matched the force in


    his grip.


    ¡°Mr. Gildon, it¡¯s because you didn¡¯t cherish her that I have the chance. Do you understand?¡±


    With that, Brandon yanked Chris¡® hand away.


    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    I stepped forward at that moment and said nothing. I just simply linked my arm with Brandon¡¯s. ¡°It¡¯s


    gettingte. Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Brandon gave me a loving look before following me out. On the way back, I remained silent, and


    Brandon didn¡¯t speak either.


    Even on the stairs, the only sound was our footsteps.


    ¡°Goodnight,¡± Brandon said as he reached the door and began to open it.


    ¡°Brandon,¡± I called out to him.


    He turned to look at me. Under the dim light, I moved closer and asked, ¡°Do you really not mind my


    past? Do you really want to be with me?¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it obvious enough?¡± he replied softly.


    Indeed, he had already moved across from me and done everything he could. If I still doubted him, it


    would be disrespectful to his efforts.


    ¡°Brandon,¡± I said again.


    Then, I leaned in, stood on my toes, and kissed him.


    I felt his body tense up, so I wrapped my arm around his waist. I whispered, ¡°Let¡¯s be together!¡±


    Brandon remained still and didn¡¯t respond.

 Redmption 237

    Redmption 237


    Now I was the one feeling a bit confused. ¡°What is it? Have you changed your mind? Or¡­¡±


    Before I could finish speaking, his kiss silenced me. It wasn¡¯t a deep kiss, just a gentle press against


    my lips. After a moment, he whispered, ¡°I do.¡±


    I smiled, my cheeks flushing red.


    Brandon, too¡­


    Though his tannedplexion made it hard to tell, the tips of his ears were clearly red.


    We stood there without saying another word. It was a bit awkward, but neither of us let go.


    This was the unmistakable tension of budding romance. It was sticky, yet impossible to pull away


    from.


    We both wanted to get closer, but there was a shyness holding us back. I wondered if we were


    really going to stand here and hold each other all night.


    My legs were already stiff, and my back was starting to ache.


    ¡°Uh¡­¡±


    ¡°Maybe we should¡­¡±


    We both started speaking at the same time, which only made the situation more embarrassing. We


    fell into silence again, each of us trying to find the right words.


    Just then, my phone rang. Brandon released me, and I quickly grabbed my phone. It was Lisa


    calling.


    This woman rarely called me, and now she had chosen the perfect


    moment to do so.


    ¡°I need to take this,¡± I said, raising a hand to point at my


    2/3


    ¡°Yeah, goodnight,¡± Brandon said for the second time.


    ¡°Goodnight,¡± I replied quickly before turning away, sticking out my tongue yfully as I did.


    This wasn¡¯t my first rtionship, but I still felt flustered and my heart was racing. Once inside, I


    leaned against the door and answered Lisa¡¯s call.


    ¡°Why did you take so long to answer? You weren¡¯t up to something naughty, were you?¡± Lisa always


    had a sharp instinct about me.


    I paused for a few seconds. ¡°I have some good news to share.¡±


    ¡°Let me guess¡­¡± Lisa teased.


    I smiled. Then she said, ¡°Did you finally make it official with Mr. Howell?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, just now.¡± My answer left her silent on the other end of the line.


    I frowned. ¡°What¡¯s up? Weren¡¯t you the one always pushing me to be with him? Why so quiet now?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just calcting if my bank ount has enough for your wedding gift, Lisa said. Her words made


    me breathe a sigh of relief andugh.


    ¡°Oh, so you¡¯re nning to give me your entire life savings?¡± I teased her back.


    ¡°Exactly. And when I get married, you¡¯d better return it double.¡± Upon hearing her words, I was so


    speechless that I rolled my eyes.


    ¡°You¡¯re such a nner, Dr. Carline.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not just me. That¡¯s how everyone is nowadays. You probably don¡¯t know, but a lot of young


    people aren¡¯t getting married for love anymore. Instead, they¡¯re doing it to recover the cost of the


    wedding.¡± Lisa¡¯s words were starting to shatter my worldview.


    I snorted in disbelief. ¡°Stop exaggerating. Who does that?¡±


    ¡°Believe it or not, we had a couple at work who did just that. Last week, they got married, and


    everyone gave wedding gifts. Both families even threw wedding banquets.


    ¡°Then, this week, they got divorced. Turns out, someone recorded their conversation about the


    whole scheme and posted it online,¡± Lisa


    exined, sounding very convincing.


    I had nothing to say. I stared up at the ceiling as images of the light show Brandon had arranged for


    me shed in my mind.


    ¡°Maybe some people would do that, but Brandon and I wouldn¡¯t.¡± N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    ¡°I know. You two are head over heels for each other¡­¡± Lisa¡¯s sentence was cut short by my phone


    buzzing.


    It was a message from Eden on Instagram. ¡°Hey, are you still up?¡±


    I frowned as his second message came in right after. ¡°I¡¯ll go to my dad¡¯s ce tomorrow. Want to


    come along?


    Spin to im Your Surprise Reward!


    X

 Redmption 238

    Redmption 238


    Eden might have been flirting with me, and I could choose to ignore it, but I couldn¡¯t afford to dy


    meeting Arthur. However, his message was


    inappropriate given thete hour. The timing was off.


    If I responded now, he might take the opportunity to make some other demands. If I agreed, it


    wouldn¡¯t be ideal. But if I refused, it could give him leverage to use against me regarding my desire


    to meet with his father.


    Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    The best approach was to ignore him as I had done yesterday.


    I snapped back to reality and continued chatting with Lisa. I hadn¡¯t paid much attention to what she


    said earlier, but now I heard her ask, ¡°So, now that you and Brandon are officially together. What¡¯s


    the next step?¡±


    ¡°What next step?¡± I was still distracted by Eden¡¯s message.


    ¡°You know, whates next in a romantic rtionship? Of course, it¡¯s the physical aspect,¡± Lisa


    said with a teasing tone.


    I understood immediately. ¡°Brandon is a decent guy, okay?¡±


    ¡°Does being decent mean he has no emotions or desires? Does it mean he doesn¡¯t want to start a


    family?¡± Lisa followed up with two pointed


    questions.


    Then, she added with a huff, ¡°Chris is also very decent.¡±


    I fell silent. Lisa seemed to notice my emotion and rified, ¡°I don¡¯t mean anything specific. I just


    want to point out that in a romantic rtionship, dopamine is released, which boosts adrenaline


    levels and stimtes sexual desire.


    ¡°Let¡¯s put it this way. A man who truly loves you will have urges and will want to be intimate with


    you. If he doesn¡¯t or can easily control himself, it¡¯s likely he doesn¡¯t love you as deeply.¡± Lisa


    analyzed love using her medical knowledge.


    I thought about the years I spent with Chris. Although we were publicly


    recognized as an engaged couple, our most intimate actions had just been holding hands or


    hugging briefly.


    It seemed that he never had those kinds of thoughts about me. I used to think it was out of respect,


    like a modern¨Cday gentleman. I even


    questioned my allure.


    But now, with Lisa¡¯s analysis, I realized that Chris¡¯s feelings for me might not have been as deep as


    I thought. He also said he wasn¡¯t interested in that kind of thing because we were too familiar.


    Lisa then asked, ¡°Maddie, does Brandon show any interest in that aspect, or does he cling to you


    and not want to let go?¡±


    I recalled the time I stood at the door with Brandon. We embraced each other, neither of us willing to


    pull away,


    ¡°There is interest, how could there not be? But it¡¯s all within the bounds of


    propriety,¡± I exined.


    ¡°Bullshit!¡± Lisa eximed. ¡°If a man really loves you deeply, he¡¯ll want to bepletely immersed in


    you and to merge with you.¡±


    Her blunt words made my throat go dry. I walked to the kitchen, poured a


    ss of water, and took a sip.


    ¡°Is that so? I don¡¯t really understand these things. Dr. Carline, you¡¯re truly an expert. You know a


    lot.¡±


    Lisa detected the teasing tone in my voice. ¡°I¡¯m just looking out for you. I don¡¯t want you to miss out.


    Brandon may be principled and reserved, but you can take the initiative.¡±


    I choked on my drink upon hearing Lisa¡¯s words. It turned out that she had said all that to encourage


    me to take the initiative.


    I rolled my eyes in exasperation and asked, ¡°Why can¡¯t I just have a pure and genuine rtionship


    without having to use my looks to influence someone?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant. It¡¯s because a good man like Brandon is highly sought after. If you don¡¯t


    act, someone else will.¡±


    32


    Listening to Lisa, I realized how concerned she was about my lifelong


    affars


    ¡°Maddie, you¡¯ve probably heard this before. A man who wants to sleep with you doesn¡¯t necessantly


    love you, but a man who loves you will definitely want to sleep with you, Lisa concluded with a sharp


    summary.


    I wasn¡¯t inexperienced in rtionships. Having been through one with Chris, I thought I understood


    these dynamics.


    ¡°But true love isri¡¯t just about physical attraction.¡± I shared my perspective.


    ¡®Sex and attraction are basic human desires.¡± Lisa continued to push the point


    I hadn¡¯t thought much about it before, but Lisa¡¯s words made me reflect on the times Brandon and I


    had spent alone together when nothing had ever happened.


    I was such a vibrant and attractive woman, and he had shown interest in me, yet nothing had


    happened.


    In hindsight, this seemed a bit strange. I began to wonder if I had


    encountered another man who imed to love but didn¡¯t truly feel it. I hoped I wasn¡¯t that unlucky.


    Thinking this through, I felt the need to test Brandon, but I couldn¡¯t just be as proactive as Lisa


    suggested.

 Redmption 239

    Redmption 239


    I needed toe up with a reason¡­ The phone in my hand vibrated twice. It was a message from


    Lisa. It was a GIF of a woman in a sexy nightgown striking a seductive pose after a bath.


    Lisa had added a note.


    ¡°You could give it a try.¡±


    I sent back a facepalm emoji. Although I scolded Lisa internally for being inappropriate, I thought her


    suggestion was worth trying. I just needed toe up with a good reason to show Brandon this side


    of me.


    I went to the bathroom to shower while brainstorming reasons.


    Using Eden¡¯s message as a reason might not work. If I mentioned it, Brandon would surely stop me.


    Asking him to fix the water pipes wouldn¡¯t work either since the pipes were fine, and I couldn¡¯t just


    break them.


    Saying I was hungry and asking him to cook seemed like a good idea.


    With this reason in mind, I hastened my shower. Then, I put on the sexy nightgown I rarely wore.


    Speaking of this nightgown, I bought it when Chris and I got engaged because we were nning to


    live together. I never expected that Chris wouldn¡¯t see it, and now Brandon would.


    I looked at the ck silk nightgown, which showcased my curvaceous figure in stunning detail. The


    ck color, with its touch of mystery, contrasted sharply with my fair skin. It created a striking visual


    impact.


    It wasn¡¯t just my vanity. Even I found it enough to make one¡¯s mouth go dry and leave people¡­


    ¡°Knock, knock.¡±


    There was a knock on the door. At this hour, it couldn¡¯t be anyone else but Brandon. He had arrived


    right on time. It was better than me trying to find a reason to approach him. But I wondered what he


    wanted at thiste


    four Condit be that he also wanted to


    My checks were burning. I raised a hand to pat them and nced at my reflection in the mirror. As I


    walked toward the door, I asked, ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡±


    M¡¯s me. I made you a bowl of oatmeal Brandon¡¯s voice still sounded deep and pleasant even though


    it was muffled by the door.


    I swallowed nervously. I looked at myself once more, took a deep breath, and pulled the straps of


    my nightgown slightly lower before opening the door.


    I was actually getting hungry,¡± I said as I opened the door. I quickly found a reason to avoid


    embarrassment.


    Brand¨®n stood outside, holding the catmeal. His gaze fell on me, and I clearly saw his Adam¡¯s apple


    move. The effect was quite impressive.


    In my mind, four words floated by, but I pretended not to understand. I


    reached out to him and yfully praised him, ¡°You¡¯re really on point with the boyfriend duties.¡±


    Brandon looked away and handed me the oatmeal. The tips of his ears turned red again, so red that


    I suddenly felt I could use this opportunity to tease him.


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    At that moment, I really thought I was being wicked, taking advantage of. his innocence to yfully


    mess with him.


    As he handed me the bowl of oatmeal, my fingers brushed against him, and I felt the bowl tremble


    slightly. But the next moment, he steadied looked deeply into my eyes.


    His gaze was intense, almost like a flickering me¡­


    and


    I felt a sudden flush of nerves and had a bad premonition, so I quickly tried


    to pull my hand back, but Brandon didn¡¯t let go.

 Redmption 240

    Redmption 240


    My heart started to race, pounding in my chest¡­ I had been the one who wanted to flirt and test


    him, but now that he was actually responding, I found myself losing my nerve.


    I breathed heavily and only managed to stammer, ¡°Brandon, you¡­¡±


    However, he took a step forward, cutting off my words and instinctively making me step back.


    With that single step, he was no longer standing at the door, but rather inside my room. I found


    myself pressed against the shoe cab, both of us still holding the bowl of oatmeal.


    I had to admit, he had impressive control. Despite the tugging and pulling between us, the oatmeal


    hadn¡¯t spilled a drop.


    My heart was racing, nearly pounding out of my chest, but Brandon didn¡¯t say anything. He just


    stood there, incredibly close, staring at me.


    I couldn¡¯t bring myself to meet his gaze. A wave of regret washed over me as I wondered why I had


    thought it was a good idea to provoke him.


    Lisa had encouraged me, but she had also warned me that men couldn¡¯t resist being teased. I acted


    on a whim and did something stupid. But what was done was done. Regret was useless now.


    I forced myself to stay calm because only by keeping my cool could I handle Brandon. I could tell he


    was affected, that my little stunt had gotten to him.


    He was struggling to contain himself. It was evident from the veins


    standing out on his forehead.


    ¡°The oatmeal¡¯s here. You can go now,¡± I said this sentence while holding my breath.


    Brandon didn¡¯t move or respond.


    ¡°Bran-¡±


    ¡°Mae¡­¡± He interrupted me. His voice was low and hoarse, like a feather brushing across my heart.


    I felt like all my nerves were on the verge of breaking down, and an indescribable sensation was


    rising in my body.


    *Hmm?¡±


    My voice trembled somewhat seductively. I quickly bit my lip, afraid to make any more sounds. I


    never expected to see this side of myself. It was so embarrassing.


    Brandon¡¯s Adam¡¯s apple bobbed rapidly under my gaze. The next moment, he used his other hand


    to cup my head, pressing it against his chest.


    His deep voice rumbled in my ear. ¡°Don¡¯t say a word.¡±


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    didn¡¯t understand what he meant


    ¡®Don¡¯t move, and don¡¯t speak,¡± he continued in a voice even more hoarse. I¡¯m afraid¡­ I might not be


    able to hold back.¡±


    My eyes widened. I wondered if he was implying he had those kinds of thoughts about me


    ¡®Stay still and be good.¡± Hisrge hand stroked my hair to keep me still, but he moved closer and


    held me tighter.


    I was only wearing a thin silk nightgown, and he was dressed in a thin T- shirt. The flimsy fabric did


    nothing to inste the intense heat between us


    I wasn¡¯t Lisa. I hadn¡¯t studied medicine or researched the human body and physiology, but I knew


    my nerves were highly stimted right now. They were moring, almost yearning for something


    I wasn¡¯t a young girl anymore. I was in my 20s, mature in body and mind, but I had never been


    touched. It was like a void, wanting to be filled, making me anxious.


    And I could tell that Brandon wasn¡¯t much better. His heartbeat, breathing, and body temperature all


    indicated desire. I was attracting him, but the


    fete te Sachin tETE THE WITTLE what mean


    questored whether it was restant or patere offre reST A WE The action as diss had suggested


    Ferrars he was afraid of


    the restituifles that might SITTE WITH


    Acounted I wanted to test fim for the and ind out the answer

 Redmption 241

    Redmption 241


    The failure I experienced with Chirs had even spurred me on. It made me want to test whether I was


    truly so unattractive that Brandon could remain so restrained and without feeling any kind of


    impulse, event while holding me like this.


    ¡°Brandon,¡± I called him softly.


    My hand reached up to his back. I embraced him through his shirt, my nails digging in. I could


    clearly feel Brandon¡¯s body tensing even more, and he even sucked in a few sharp breaths.


    ¡°Mae¡­¡±


    I pressed closer to him. Having freshly bathed and being d only in a silk nightgown, I was very


    aware of how soft my body felt against his. If Brandon could still restrain himself like this, I had to


    admit I was truly a failure.


    ¡°Mae,¡± Brandon called my name urgently and loosened his hold on me. He gripped my shoulders,


    his head bowed, breathing heavily.


    His Adam¡¯s apple moved, and he seemed to be trembling¡­ It felt like he had just run a marathon,


    and I wasn¡¯t in a much better state. Having crossed this line, I was both embarrassed and bold.


    ¡°Mae, it¡¯s gettingte,¡± Brandon said. With that, he released me and moved toward the door.


    I felt a chill, a mix of embarrassment and a deep sense of failure making my head spin. ¡°Brandon, at


    a time like this, are you leaving because you can¡¯t or because you¡¯re not interested in me?¡±


    Brandon paused with one foot out the door, then stopped. After a moment, he turned around. All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    I couldn¡¯t see my expression, but I felt sure my eyes were red and my face pale, reflecting my


    distress and embarrassment.


    Brandon looked at me. His dark eyes were full of swirling emotions. Then, he pulled back his leg,


    lifted his foot, and hooked it around the door to close it.


    The next second, the room darkened. I felt a tightness at the back of my head, and his lips were


    burning against mine¡­


    With the grinding pain, my lips were pried open. Hisrge hands controlled my slender body as if he


    wanted to crush me¡­ I experienced an unprecedented intensity, tasting the wildness of passion in


    love¡­


    wear.


    ¡°Mae, is this okay?¡± Brandon¡¯s deep, trembling voice whispered in my


    His words brought me back to reality. I asked myself, ¡°Is this okay?¡±


    I remember my parents telling me about such matters before they passed away when I was 12. My


    mom taught me some physiological knowledge and also talked about rtionships between girls


    and boys.


    She advised that a girl should not let a man touch her body unless she was sure she wanted to


    spend her life with him. And before making such a decision, she should consider whether he was


    worth that trust.


    I wondered if I was really ready to give myself to Brandon. Although I had said the words ¡°let¡¯s be


    together


    to him tonight, it meant that I had epted him. But a lifetime¡­.


    That was too long, too uncertain, with too many variables. I was suddenly unsure.


    This brief hesitation helped Brandon regain hisposure. His cheek brushed against my hair as


    he said, ¡°Let¡¯s wait a bit longer.¡±


    My mind was in turmoil, and Lcouldn¡¯t speak.


    213


    ¡°But you need to understand one thing. It¡¯s not that I can¡¯t or that I¡¯m not interested in you. I just


    want to wait until you¡¯re sure before we take the next step.¡± Brandon¡¯s voice was low and husky.


    Upon hearing this, my eyes inexplicably grew moist. The feeling was indescribable. It was partly


    touched, partly uneasy, and mostly embarrassed.


    I couldn¡¯t believe what I had done. I had actually tried to test Brandon¡¯s feelings for me in this way.


    Chris never did such things with me because he didn¡¯t love me enough. Yet, I had treated Brandon


    like this. At that moment, I realized how foolish and ignorant I was.


    Brandon was a responsible and caring man. If he were a reckless yboy taking advantage of me, I


    would be the one at a disadvantage.


    I was grateful for his timely restraint and regretful for my impulsiveness. I pushed him away and fled


    to the bedroom.


    Brandon¡¯s lightugh followed me. ¡°I¡¯ll head back now. Remember to finish the oatmeal.¡±


    I was at a loss for words.

 Redmption 242

    Redmption 242


    I received Brandon¡¯s message half an hourter. ¡°Goodnight, girlfriend!¡±


    I couldn¡¯t help but wonder what he might have been doing in that half¨Chour. Perhaps he was taking


    a cold shower to cool off, just like in novels.


    Thinking about the abrupt halt earlier made me too embarrassed to reply. I had a restless night,


    likely because I didn¡¯t take a cold shower. It felt like something was crawling inside me.


    The phrase ¡°the gate of desire, an insurmountable chasm was something I had now experienced


    firsthand.


    I slept poorly and restlessly, so I woke up early. But no matter how early I got up, it was never earlier


    than Brandon. He was already out for his morning run. His energy and stamina were truly


    impressive.


    With such vitality, he had to be quite vigorous in intimate situations too. I felt as though I was under


    a spell, unable to stop thinking about that aspect¡­


    This was all Lisa¡¯s fault. She gave me such terrible advicest night. Thinking of this, I ignored how


    early it was and sent a message to Lisa.


    ¡°Are you hungry? Get up and join me for breakfast.¡±


    I had the oatmeal fromst night, but I was hungry now from overthinking all night. Normally, if I told


    Brandon, he would prepare breakfast for me. But today, I thought it best to avoid him.


    I felt a bit petty, but I couldn¡¯t help it. After more than 20 years of living,st night was my first


    experience with such things. Although nothing actually happened, I almost wished something had.


    I found it increasingly embarrassing. I wondered if other couples would feel the same way after


    reaching, the final step, waking up feeling like this. I sighed. I was bing more and more


    useless.


    As soon as I sent the message, but before my fingers had even left the keyboard, Lisa¡¯s video call


    came through.


    ¡°Well, looks likest night didn¡¯t go as nned,¡± Lisa teased as soon as she connected.


    I


    ¡°If it weren¡¯t for you, would I be hungry this early?¡± I shifted the me onto her.


    Lisa, who was dressed in a whiteb coat, was lounging on her break chair. ¡°What happenedst


    night? Spill the beans. I need a pick¨Cme¨Cup.¡±


    I rolled my eyes. ¡°Dr. Carline, do you have no medical ethics?¡±


    ¡°Feel free to attack me, but don¡¯t insult my sacred profession,¡± Lisa said, poking the screen.


    ¡°Treat me to a meal, and I¡¯ll tell you everything.¡± I got up. ¡°You¡¯re at the hospital, right? I¡¯lle find


    you.¡±


    Lisa yawned. ¡°Sure. Bring me some scrambled eggs and toast.¡±


    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    Got it, Dr. Carline.¡± With that, I ended the call.


    I sighed and went to the bathroom. Looking in the mirror, I was surprised. Despite a rough night, my


    complexion looked surprisingly good.


    My face was pale but flushed, and my eyes had a glimmer. It was strange.


    1 thought, ¡°Shouldn¡¯t I be sporting dark circles? Is this what they mean by being refreshed by love?¡±


    I quickly washed up and changed clothes, then quietly opened the door. I nned to slip out without


    disturbing Brandon. My n was perfect.


    I managed to lock the door and go downstairs. I let out a sigh as I approached the car. Just then,


    Brandon¡¯s voice cut through the early morning fog.


    ¡°Where are you going so early?¡±


    I froze, tightening my grip on the car keys. Without turning around, I quickly said, ¡°I¡¯m going to see


    Lisa.¡±


    As soon as the words left my mouth, I heard Brandon¡¯s steady, powerful footsteps behind me. I


    instinctively started to move faster, trying to get away


    But I couldn¡¯t outpace his long strides in the end. Brandon stepped in front of me, his dark eyes


    locked on mine.


    ¡°Are you not feeling well? Is something wrong?¡± His voice was tense, filled with concern.


    I couldn¡¯t meet his gaze and simply shook my head. ¡°No, no. It¡¯s just that Dr. Carline¡¯s on duty and


    hungry. I¡¯m taking her some food.¡±


    A few years ago, this excuse would have been perfectly reasonable. But now, with the advent of


    food delivery services, one could get whatever they wanted with a tap of their phone. Hence, there


    was no need to trouble someone so early in the morning.


    Brandon wasn¡¯t foolish, and he naturally knew I was lying. He simply said quietly, ¡°I knew you would


    try to avoid me.¡±


    I was taken aback and looked up at him.


    Spin to im Your Surprise Reward!

 Redmption 243

    Redmption 243


    His face wore a smile that was both helpless and affectionate. ¡°You¡¯ve done this before. You have a


    history of it.¡±


    I was left speechless. My cheeks flushed red, and I felt a mix of embarrassment and irritation.


    He really was something. He should have just kept it to himself instead of spelling it out. His


    emotional intelligence was so low.


    ¡°Mae,¡± Brandon said softly, ¡°you were so bold when doing something wrong, but now you¡¯re acting


    all timid. You haven¡¯t changed a bit from when you were a child.¡±


    I was about to retort when I suddenly realized something was wrong. ¡°Doing something wrong?¡±


    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    Last night, when I opened the door in my nightgown, he didn¡¯t think it was an ident. He had seen


    through it. He knew it was deliberate.


    Oh my god. This was incredibly embarrassing.


    The car keys I was holding felt like they were about to be crushed. I was flustered and retorted,


    ¡°Who¡¯s doing something wrong? It¡¯s clearly you. You¡¯re just¡­ mmm¡­¡±


    My words were cut off as Brandon leaned in and kissed me. Perhaps because he had just finished


    running, his lips were cool, but also soft.


    I stood there frozen, not moving at all. I could see him closing his eyes, his darkshes, and his high


    nose bridge¡­


    As I was lost in the daze of his kiss and captivated by his striking features, Brandon let go of me but


    still held my hands.


    ¡°From now on, I¡¯ll take care of the bad things¡­¡±


    I was blushing so hard that it extended from my face to my ankles. I kept my head down and didn¡¯t


    say a word.


    ¡°Did you really have no business with Dr. Carline?¡± Brandon asked again.


    I shook my head, remaining silent. I just couldn¡¯t find the words. I didn¡¯t understand why I felt so shy


    about this.


    When I was dating Chris, people often teased us. Chris would asionally pinch my cheek, put his


    arm around my shoulder, and even kiss my cheek in front of others.


    I never felt this shy back then. Now, I felt like a shy young girl experiencing her first¨Chand¨Cholding


    with a boy. But before, I had been acting like a veteran in front of him back when I was at Amaty. It


    seemed that pretense and lies could never withstand the test of reality.


    ¡°I originally nned to make you some spaghetti, but it seems that¡¯s not needed now. Be careful on


    the road, Brandon said with concern.


    I remained silent, and he smiled. ¡°Mae, do you know what you make me want to do?¡±


    ¡°What?¡± I asked this time.


    He leaned in, his cheek brushing against mine. His soft lips intentionally grazed my earlobe. ¡°I want


    to kiss you more because the more I kiss you, the less shy you¡¯ll be.¡±


    I felt even more embarrassed, and I tapped his back twice in response. Brandonughed, and his


    laughter made me even more self¨Cconscious.


    2/2


    ¡°Don¡¯tugh!¡± I covered his mouth with my hand.


    But instead, I felt a tickling sensation on my palm. He had kissed my hand! I recoiled slightly, and


    he


    chuckled.


    ¡°Alright. I¡¯m done teasing you. Go ahead, and drive safely.¡±


    I bit my lip, and my face flushed like a boiled shrimp. Then, I hurriedly got into the car. Brandon


    stood outside, watching me with a smile. He rarely smiled. But now, his grin was as bright as the


    sun rising over the horizon.


    My heart warmed and fluttered at his smile. This was what real love felt like¨Cexciting, heart¨Cracing,


    and asforting as a spring breeze mixed with sweetness.


    I started the car, preparing to leave because I still felt uneasy under Brandon¡¯s gaze. Even after I


    drove a considerable distance, Brandon stood where he was. He watched me the entire time.


    ncing in the rearview mirror, I suddenly remembered his words fromst night at the amusement


    park. He had mentioned that he was leaving today, but I hadn¡¯t asked where he was going.


    I quickly mmed on the brakes.

 Redmption 244

    Redmption 244


    Brandon asked, ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±


    ¡°Brandon!¡±


    We both spoke at the same time.


    ¡°You said you were leaving today, didn¡¯t you? Where are you going?¡± I asked. Because I had run to


    him, my breath was heavy.


    His brow furrowed when he saw me suddenly jump out of the car. Upon hearing my question, he


    rxed, and a smile spread across his face. ¡°Are you afraid I¡¯m going to run away?¡±


    His teasing made my cheeks flush, and I feigned annoyance. ¡°Where are you really going?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not leaving for now.¡± Brandon didn¡¯t directly answer my question.


    I frowned. ¡°Hmm?¡±


    ¡°I was originally going to leave because my work here was done and there wasn¡¯t anything keeping


    me. But things are different now,¡± Brandon said. Then, he stepped closer and bent down slightly.


    ¡°Because now I have a girlfriend.¡±


    The way he said it sent a jolt through my entire body. I took a step back and turned away since I


    couldn¡¯t -bear it.


    lly into h


    his


    But before I could move, Brandon tightened his grip on my wrist and pulled me forcefully embrace.


    His chin resorted on the top of my head. His voice was husky as he said, ¡°I wouldn¡¯t just disappear.


    If I were to leave, I¡¯d tell you first. You¡¯d have to agree before I could go.¡±


    My heart was pounding, and my whole body felt hot. So early in the morning¡­ Such deep affection


    was almost too much to handle.


    Just as I was about to say something in response, a voice behind us suddenly said, ¡°Oh my


    goodness.


    The sound startled me, and I quickly pulled away from Brandon¡¯s embrace. But it seemed to be too


    late. The person had already seen us


    The voice continued in a teasing tone, ¡°I was wondering who was cuddling so early in the morning.


    Turns


    out it¡¯s just you two.¡±


    It was Lara. Lara and the other neighbors already considered Brandon and me a couple, but it was


    still quite embarrassing to be seen in such a private moment.


    ¡°Mrs. Bishop, you¡¯re early,¡± Brandon greeted her warmly. He seemedpletely at easepared


    to my embarrassment.


    ¡°Not earlier than you,¡± Lara replied as if she knew Brandon exercised early every day. She then


    tilted her head toward me and added, ¡°It¡¯s rare to see you up so early, Maddie.¡±


    was left speechless. I wondered if I waszy in their eyes.


    ¡°She gets up early every day too,¡± Brandon chimed in to defuse the awkwardness. Afterward, he


    told me, You should go.¡±


    I didn¡¯t hesitate any longer and left. As I walked away, Lara approached Brandon and I heard her


    mumble,¡± Maddie is really lucky to have a boyfriend who is not only handsome and caring but also


    knows how to do everything.¡±


    Chapte: 244


    The envy was palpable.


    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    ¡°Mrs. Bishop, you¡¯ve got it wrong. I¡¯m the lucky one to have Maddie as my girlfriend,¡± Brandon


    responded.


    Lara chuckled. ¡°Brandon, I¡¯m praising you. You¡¯re really too good to be true.¡±


    I didn¡¯t stay to listen to what Lara and Brandon said afterward, but I was sure it was all praise.


    As I drove away and turned out of the neighborhood, I nced in the rearview mirror. Brandon was


    still watching me. It felt like he was looking at me like I might never return.


    I brought scrambled eggs and toast for Lisa, but she didn¡¯t get a chance to eat any of it. Before she


    could even ask me aboutst night¡¯s details, she was pulled into the operating room due to a


    sudden emergency involving a pregnant woman.


    With Lisa upied, I couldn¡¯t just stay, but I didn¡¯t know where I was supposed to go this early in


    the morning. Going back home didn¡¯t seem like an option.


    Hence, I decided to head to the office. But just as I walked out of the hospital lobby, I bumped


    straight into a man rushing inside.


    Fortunately, I managed to dodge slightly, or I would have been knocked over. Even so, I still


    stumbled from the impact. Fortunately, the man reacted quickly and grabbed me.


    ¡°Sorry¡­ Wait, it¡¯s you!¡±


    The man recognized me, and I immediately recognized him as well. It was Yerick, Jewel¡¯s brother!

 Redmption 245

    Redmption 245


    Recalling how Yerick had wronged me before, I seized the chance for some payback. ¡°Please let go


    of my hand, or I¡¯ll use you of harassment.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡± Yerickughed. ¡°Go ahead, sue me.¡±


    He wasn¡¯t scared at all. There was no reasoning with someone so shameless. I tried to pull my hand


    away, but he didn¡¯t release it.


    Instead, he said with a smug grin, ¡°Madeline, it¡¯s been a while. You seem to be even more¡­


    beautiful.¡±


    ¡°Get lost!¡± I yanked my hand again.


    Yet, he refused to let go. Instead, he leaned closer, his hand still gripping mine. ¡°Your temper is


    getting worse too.¡±


    Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    To be shameless was to be invincible, and that was exactly what someone like Yerick did.


    ¡°Yerick, what are you doing? At a time like this, do you still have time to flirt with others? Hurry up


    ande over,¡± someone called out from nearby.


    He must have been in a hurry earlier, so there was probably something urgent. But now, Yerick


    didn¡¯t seem to be in a rush at all.


    Even when someone called him, he ignored them and continued to hold my hand. ¡°Madeline, I


    heard you¡¯re single now. Can I pursue you?¡±


    The question struck me deeply. I thought, ¡°Single? Who¡¯s fault is that? It¡¯s your sister who made me


    single.


    His sister stole my fiance, and now Yerick imed that he wanted to pursue me. His audacity was


    unbelievable. But since they were both making things difficult for me, I had to retaliate. I smiled


    faintly. ¡°Sure, ask your sister for permission. If she agrees, then you can pursue me.¡±


    ¡®Do you agree, Madeline? Yerick¡¯s eyes lit up with hope.


    My heart skipped a beat. I couldn¡¯t believe that this rascal was serious about this. I had just started a


    rtionship with Brandon and had no intention of getting entangled with another man.


    So, I had no choice but to lift my foot and stomp on his toes to dampen Yerick¡¯s enthusiasm. With a


    pained yelp, Yerick released his grip. He started hopping around, clutching his foot.


    However, I still felt unsatisfied. I gave him onest re before walking away.


    ¡°Hey, Madeline! I¡¯ll pursue you! I like your fiery personality.¡± The pain didn¡¯t make Yerick stop talking.


    He actually raised his voice and started shouting in the hospital lobby.


    I quickened my pace, ignoring his crazed behavior. Once inside my car, I took a moment to calm


    down from the anger caused by Yerick before leaving the hospital and heading to the office.


    However, before I reached the office, my phone rang. It was a call from Eden. Instantly, I recalled


    the message he had sent mest night. I wondered if he was heading to see his father now.


    Thinking of this, I answered the call and deliberately softened my voice. ¡°Mr. Griffins, it¡¯s early.¡±


    ¡°Did I wake you?¡± Eden¡¯s tone was light and teasing.


    ¡°Is there something you need, Mr. Griffins? I deliberately avoided mentioning his message from the


    night before.


    2/2


    Eden chuckled on the other end. ¡°I¡¯m heading to see my dad, Ms. Crown. Since I promised you, I¡¯ll


    make good on it. Are you stilling?¡±


    Of course, I was going. ¡°Sure, Mr. Griffins. Where are you? I¡¯lle to you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll pick you up, Ms. Crown,¡± Eden replied unexpectedly


    I immediately refused. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t want to trouble you, Mr. Griffins. Just give me the address, and I¡¯ll


    head


    over now.¡±


    Eden¡¯s voice took on a hint of amusement as he said, ¡°Are you trying to avoid me?¡±


    I didn¡¯t respond. Sometimes silence handled awkward situations better than exnations. Sure


    enough, a few secondster, Eden told me to go to Sylking Sanatorium.


    It was a ce I had been to before but never actually entered, so I was familiar with it. ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll be


    there in half an hour.


    Edenughed again. ¡°It seems like you have been to this sanatorium before.¡±


    I was momentarily taken aback. Then, I lightly smacked my forehead, realizing I had identally


    revealed this detail. I didn¡¯t offer any exnation.


    Thankfully, he didn¡¯t borate further and simply said, ¡°Ms. Crown, see youter.¡±

 Redmption 246

    Redmption 246


    My palm kept itching. There was an old saying-¡°An itchy right palm means money¡¯sing, and an


    itchy left palm means trouble¡°.


    I had a bad feeling. But even knowing the dangers ahead, I still had to face them. However, I wasn¡¯t


    about to walk into trouble unprepared, so I sent a message to Derick.


    ¡°Derick, I¡¯m going to meet Eden. Keep an eye out for me.¡±


    There was no immediate response. He was probably training. He was training, not sleeping in.


    Derick was preparing for apetition, and his life was all about practicing billiards and intense


    physical workouts. Sleeping in wasn¡¯t an option for him.


    I


    I wasn¡¯t worried he would miss the message. He would definitely see it after his training. Besides, I


    still had time before meeting Eden.


    Taking a deep breath, I pressed down on the gas pedal and headed straight for Sylking Sanatorium.


    When I arrived, Eden¡¯s imposing Range Rover was already parked at the sanatorium¡¯s entrance.


    Meanwhile, Eden was practicing either karate or taekwondo.


    Whether he was genuinely practicing or just putting on a show, it was certainly more refined than


    smoking or scrolling through his phone. It was also his way of letting me know he had been waiting


    for a while


    I parked the car and walked over quickly. I apologized as soon as I got close. ¡°Sorry to keep you


    waiting, Mr. Griffins.¡±


    Eden finished his practice, pressed his hands down, and took a deep breath. Then, he looked at me


    and said, ¡°Waiting for a beautifuldy is never a chore.¡±


    His yful tone never seemed to change. I forced a smile and said, ¡°Shall we go in now?¡±


    He frowned slightly. ¡°Are you going in like this?¡±


    I was taken aback by the question. After a moment, I finally realized what he meant. It dawned on


    me that arriving empty¨Chanded was a bit improper.


    I couldn¡¯t admit it directly, so I made an excuse. ¡°Sorry. It¡¯s so early that I couldn¡¯t find a flower shop


    open.


    Eden chuckled. He was clearly amused by my flimsy excuse. Without a word, he raised his arm and


    snapped his fingers. Immediately, someone approached with a bouquet of fresh flowers.


    ¡°I had these prepared for you,¡± Eden said with a smile as he had his assistant, Robbie Mack, hand


    the flowers to me.


    I felt a bit embarrassed, but I epted the flowers anyway. ¡°You¡¯re very thoughtful, Mr. Griffins.


    Thank you.


    Eden¡¯s words were full of self¨Cpraise. ¡°I only show such thoughtfulness and attention to beautiful


    women.¡±


    I could only agree. ¡°Mr. Griffins, you¡¯re indeed a considerate person.¡±


    Eden raised an eyebrow and said, ¡°I¡¯m d you think so.


    ¡°Of course,¡± I said, but I already inwardly cursed his excessive chatter.


    So, I directly asked, ¡°Mr. Griffins, can we go in now?¡±


    Eden shrugged and said, ¡°Maddie, I don¡¯t know how much you know about my dad, but he has a


    peculiar


    habit, especially in these past two years, with his health not being the best and all the little issues


    he¡¯s been facing.¡±


    The corners of my mouth twitched. It was the first time I had heard someone speak about their


    father like.


    this.


    I wasn¡¯t foolish. I knew he was hinting at me. ¡°Mr. Griffins, please let me know if there¡¯s anything


    specific. I will make sure to be careful.¡±


    Eden checked his watch and said, ¡°My dad doesn¡¯t see strangers.¡±


    ¡°So it seems I¡¯ll have trouble you a bit more today, Mr. Griffins.¡± I tried to sound very polite.


    Eden shrugged a bit. ¡°You¡¯re understanding. I won¡¯t beat around the bush. You can meet my dad,


    but you¡¯ll need to take on a different role.¡±


    I was a bit confused. ¡°Mr. Giffins, please be straightforward.¡±


    Spin to im Your Surprise Reward! N?velDrama.Org is the owner.

 Redmption 247

    Redmption 247


    Eden stepped closer to me, and I Instinctively stepped back. He smiled and said, ¡°Be my girlfriend.¡±


    I was stunned but quickly managed a mocking smile. ¡°Mr. Griffins, making such jokes early in the


    Isn¡¯t really appropriate. You know-


    morning


    ¡°I¡¯m not joking,¡± Eden interrupted me. ¡°Only my girlfriend would have the privilege of meeting my


    dad.¡± His words left me frozen. It was clear that he was using this status to pressure me. Sure


    enough, my hunch was correct. My palm itched earlier, which meant that something like this was


    bound to happen. ¡°Maddie, you probably don¡¯t know this, but my dad has always been very


    suspicious.


    ¡°He trusts no one, especially now with his health not being great and so many people trying to get


    close to him with ulterior motives. He decided not to waste more energy and only met with family


    members


    I


    Eden gave me a detailed exnation, but I knew this was just an excuse.


    ¡°And then there¡¯s me. I¡¯m genuinely smitten with you. I know I have a reputation as a yboy and


    have dated many women, but those were just flings. Not only would I not want to marry any of them,


    dad would never agree to it either,¡± Eden said,ughing at himself with a hint of self¨Cdeprecation.


    He probably knew how shameless he sounded.


    but my


    However, you¡¯re different. You seem like the type who would be a devoted wife and mother. That¡¯s


    why I want to pursue you seriously.


    When Eden said this, he was looking directly at me. To be honest, his expression was quite serious.


    Half an hour ago, one spoiled rich kid wanted to date me, and now here was a yboy.


    Previously, no one pursued me. Now, it seemed like I had two suitors all of a sudden. But I had just


    confirmed my rtionship with Brandonst night. Now, I wondered if Brandon was the reason so


    many people were pursuing me.


    ¡°Mr. Griffins, I appreciate your sincerity, and thank you for your admiration, but I¡¯m sorry, I already


    have a boyfriend,¡± I replied directly.


    Eden smiled. ¡°Maddie, your excuse for rejecting me seems a bit superficial. When I yed billiards


    with Derick, he said you were single.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right. But I just started dating someonest night.¡±


    Eden¡¯s smile turned sly. ¡°What a coincidence.¡±


    I just smiled in response without saying anything.


    ¡°How about this? You name your condition. What would it take for you to agree?¡± Eden continued.


    His offer was very much in line with his wealth and bold personality.


    I didn¡¯t respond, so Eden added, ¡°If you agree, you¡¯ll be the future Mrs. Griffins and thedy of the


    Alpha Corporation. I¡¯ll transfer all my assets to your name upon marriage. Not only that, but there¡¯s


    also-¡±


    ¡°Mr. Griffions, don¡¯t you remember who my ex¨Cfiance was?¡± I interrupted him this time.


    Eden was trying to tempt me with his family¡¯s wealth. Butpared to the Gildon family¡¯s assets,


    his just didn¡¯t quite measure up.


    Eden¡¯s expression faltered, and then he smiled. ¡°Actually, I like that you¡¯re not swayed by money.¡±


    ¡°So, Mr. Griffins, please find someone else. I¡¯m really not suitable for that role. I expressed my


    stance


    honestly.


    2/2


    Eden lowered his gaze and didn¡¯t speak. After a moment, he looked up and said. ¡°You¡¯re the first to


    turn me down.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not about turning you down. We¡¯re simply not a match. You want someone who can settle down


    with you and manage your life and business, while I just want a simple rtionship and¡­¡± I pictured


    the idyllic life of Ellie.


    ¡°I¡¯ve envisioned a simple life, sharing meals and daily moments with someone. Mr. Griffins,


    someone with your status just doesn¡¯t fit into that picture,¡± I said with a smile.


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    A smile was the most sincerenguage in the world, more effective than even thousands of words.


    Eden was someone who didn¡¯t have much regard for manners, but he was sincere. I needed to


    return his sincerity, especially since I was asking him for something and couldn¡¯t afford to upset


    him.


    However, he didn¡¯t respond, which left me on edge.


    I sighed and decided to address the situation directly. Mr. Griffins, since we¡¯re being so


    straightforward, can I still get through this door if I don¡¯t agree to be your girlfriend today?¡±

 Redmption 248

    Redmption 248


    Eden tossed the question back at me. ¡°What do you think?¡±


    I smiled faintly and said, ¡°Then I¡¯ll take my leave.¡± With that, I returned the bouquet to him.


    Eden raised his hand, but he didn¡¯t take the flowers. Instead, he plucked a petal and smelled it. ¡°So,


    what exactly do you need to see my dad for?¡±


    His question made me frown slightly, I wondered if he was changing his mind.


    Previously, when I mentioned needing to see his father for an appraisal, he seemed to think it was a


    treasure. Now, it seemed he understood I had other reasons.


    Since I was already here, there was no point in hiding anything. I decided to be honest and recount


    everything.


    Eden listened, then said with a serious tone, ¡°In that case, you should leave.¡±


    I felt something was off, ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯re here to see my dad about this matter, it will be pointless. You won¡¯t get any answers from


    him. He won¡¯t tell you anything.¡± Eden said as if he knew his father well.


    If everything was normal and there was nothing to hide, then there shouldn¡¯t be anything that


    couldn¡¯t be said.


    But if he refused to talk, it meant that there was something wrong. That only made me more


    determined to meet him and get to the bottom of it.


    ¡°What if I insist? Maybe Mr. Arthur has nothing to hide?¡± I persisted.


    Eden shook his head slightly. He looked at me with a sense of helplessness. ¡°You¡¯re really stubborn.


    Alright. I¡¯ll call my dad first. If he agrees to meet you, I¡¯ll take you in.¡±


    With that, Eden took out his phone. Then, he dialed a number and set it to speakerphone.


    ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Arthur¡¯s gruff voice came from the other end.


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing. I just wanted to bring someone, a woman, to see you,¡± Eden said. He avoided


    mentioning my identity directly.


    ¡°Don¡¯t bring any random women to upset me.¡± Arthur¡¯s voice grew harsh.


    Eden looked at me with a smirk and said, ¡°I wouldn¡¯t bring anyone who would offend you. She¡¯s a


    very good girl.¡±


    Arthur fell silent on the phone, and my breath tightened.


    Just as I hoped he might agree, he said, ¡°Let¡¯s do it another day. I have important guests today.¡±


    ¡°Then we¡¯ll go in and wait for you. We can see you once you¡¯re done,¡± Eden said. Although his


    manner was


    a bit off, his words were quite touching me. He was really trying his best to help me.


    ¡°Do


    you not understand what I¡¯m saying?¡± Arthur snapped before abruptly ending the call.


    Eden shrugged at me with a ¡°don¡¯t me me look.


    1 looked at the gate barred by a railing. I wondered what kind of important guests could be so


    significant


    that Arthur wouldn¡¯t even see his own son.


    As I was lost in thought, something shed before my eyes. I realized it was Eden¡¯s hand waving in


    front


    272


    of me.


    ¡°Are you rining to climb over the fence or something?¡±


    I pursed my lips. ¡°Do you know who Mr. Arthur is meeting today?¡±


    They were father and son, the closest of rtionships in the world. From what Eden had previously


    said, it was clear he knew some things about Arthur.


    ¡°Ha ha.¡± Eden chuckled. ¡°I don¡¯t know about that. My dad¡¯s life revolves around money and friends.¡±


    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    His humblebrag was quite something, but I could tell Eden didn¡¯t want to share more.


    Just then, his phone rang. After ncing at the caller ID, Eden looked at me and said, ¡°Derick


    knows you¡¯re here to see me?¡±


    It seemed the call was from Derick. Since Eden hadn¡¯t answered it, I wondered how he knew


    Derick¡¯s call was rted to me..


    I forced a smile and remained silent. In response, Eden¡¯s eyes darkened. He didn¡¯t answer Derick¡¯s


    call and hung up immediately.


    My heart skipped a beat. This action would definitely made Derick think something was wrong and


    prompt him to call me.

 Redmption 249

    Redmption 249


    Sure enough, just as that thought crossed my mind, my phone rang. It was an awkward moment.


    The call came in at just the right time, making it even more ufortable.


    Eden smirked and said, ¡°Looks like you don¡¯t trust me. If that¡¯s the case, why even bother with me?¡±


    I had no exnation. Eden took a step back.


    *Just consider us strangers from now on.¡± With that, he got into his car and drove off.


    The wind tugged at my clothes and messed up my hair. This man had changed his attitude faster


    than switching a channel on TV.


    Just ten minutes ago, he was confessing his feelings and saying he wanted to pursue me. But now,


    after just one phone call, he was dismissing me. But on the bright side, I didn¡¯t have to worry about


    him bothering me anymore.


    As Eden drove away, I nced once more at the closed gate of the sanatorium. I wondered who the


    important guest could be. I wondered if it was Zack.


    I hesitated for a moment before pulling out my phone and dialing Bree¡¯s number.


    ¡°Maddie, I was just about to call you.¡± Bree¡¯s voice came through immediately. She didn¡¯t even give


    me a chance to speak first.


    I had no choice but to ask, ¡°Bree, did you need something from me?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m inviting you to lunch. It¡¯s at the same restaurant we used to frequent, the Elegant Restaurant.


    Just be there by 11:00 a.m.,¡± Bree stated firmly. She didn¡¯t give me a chance to refuse and make it


    clear.


    I didn¡¯t immediately decline. Instead, I asked, ¡°Will Mr. Gildon be joining us?¡±


    ¡°He won¡¯t be. He¡¯s out for the day and will probably be back in the afternoon,¡± Bree replied casually.


    She had no defenses against me.


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    I thought, ¡°Out for the whole day?¡± Ever since Zack handed the Gildon Corporation over to Chris, he


    hadn¡¯t been socializing much.


    ¡°Did he go far this time?¡± I probed


    ¡°Not really. He¡¯s just visiting an old friend. Every time they meet, they just have coffee and y


    chess,¡± Bree continued.


    Upon hearing this, I tightened my grip on my phone. It seemed like I was right. Zack was indeed the


    important guest Arthur mentioned.


    It was clear that their rtionship was indeed very close. I didn¡¯t want toplicate things, but the


    contract left by my dad made it hard not to overthink things.


    ¡°Maddie, are you looking for Zack for something?¡± Bree asked me.


    I snapped back to reality. ¡°No. I thought we were having a family lunch today.¡±


    ¡°What family lunch? Bree huffed. ¡®Since you left, we haven¡¯t had a single one.¡±


    I knew she wasn¡¯t ming me, but the issues did stem from my departure. I had nothing to say, and


    I wasn¡¯t going to apologize since I didn¡¯t feel I was at fault


    ¡°Maddie, you really muste. I haven¡¯t seen you in ages and have so much to talk about,¡± Bree


    said and sighed.


    Upon hearing this, I knew I couldn¡¯t refuse this lunch. knew she would want toin about Chirs


    and Jewel¡¯s matter. But as Chris¡¯s ex, it wasn¡¯t appropriate for me to engage in that.


    I didn¡¯t want to be a sounding board forints and let those grievances affect me.


    ¡°Bree, I might not be able to make it.¡± I still declined.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t go, are you nning to cut ties with mepletely? Maddie, ever since you left, I


    haven¡¯t Eslept


    slept well or eaten properly. Just for today, can you be my daughter and have a meal with me?¡±


    Bree tried to appeal to my emotions, and I couldn¡¯t say no to that. In the end, I had no choice but to


    agree. ¡°Bree, I¡¯ll do my best toe.¡±


    ¡°Maddie, I¡¯ll be waiting for you,¡± she said, leaving me with no room to back out.

 Redmption 250

    Redmption 250


    I decided to go. Maybe I could use this chance to learn more from Bree about the truth behind my


    parents


    car ident.


    After convincing myself, I checked the time. I still had three hours before I was supposed to meet


    Bree, so I headed to the office.


    ¡°Good morning, Ms. Crown. Xander greeted me with a bright smile as if just seeing me was enough


    to brighten his day.


    ¡°Good morning, Mr. Roulder.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re looking great today, Ms. Crown. Got a new boyfriend?¡± Xander asked with a familiarity that


    suggested we were closer than we actually were.


    A brief sh ofst night¡¯s sweet moments with Brandon crossed my mind. I forced a smile and


    replied,¡± Mr. Roulder, you did mention that the weather was nice today.¡±


    Since I wasn¡¯t close to him, I certainly wasn¡¯t going to share my personal life. He chuckled, and I


    went straight into my office. It was Monday, which meant the department had a routine meeting.


    During the meeting, everyone reported on their performance. One of them, Harold Corbyn, handed


    me a


    contract.


    ¡°Ms. Crown, this is a new lighting supplier I just negotiated with. They¡¯re a startup, and they need


    our technical guidance. Please review the contract details.


    I took a look at the contract. ¡°Established less than a month ago?¡±


    ¡°Yes. They¡¯re very new.¡± Harold seemed a bit nervous.


    The risk of working with a newpany was five to ten times higher than partnering with apany


    that had been around for at least three years due to many uncertainties.


    N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    Perhaps worried I would decline, Harold quickly added, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Ms. Crown. I¡¯ve negotiated the


    service fee terms with them. They¡¯ve agreed to pay a 50% deposit upfront, another 25% halfway


    through, and the remaining bnce uponpletion.¡±


    I smiled faintly. ¡°It sounds like they¡¯re really eager to work with us.¡±


    ¡°Yes, exactly! They¡¯re very sincere. I¡¯d feel bad turning them down.¡± Haroldughed.


    The others joined in theughter and teased him. ¡°What¡¯s their idea of sincerity? Did they s


    or beautiful girls?¡±


    ¡°No, no! I wouldn¡¯t dare breakpany rules like that. They just genuinely want to work with us,


    they¡¯re drawn by ourpany¡¯s reputation and expertise,¡± Harold continued his pitch.


    I nodded and replied, ¡°I can see their sincerity.¡±


    and


    Even though I only said that one line, the others immediately turned to Harold and said, ¡°Well,


    Harold, if yound this deal, you owe us a meal.¡±


    Harold was clever. He quickly deflected the responsibility back to me and said, ¡°That depends on


    whether Ms. Crown gives me this chance.¡±


    After all, the contract needed my approval and Xander¡¯s signature before it could be finalized.


    I knew that thepany didn¡¯t need clients desperately. Hence, there was no need to get overly


    excited about every opportunity. This was likely why Chris¡¯s previous attempt at a partnership was


    rejected


    Chapoli 250


    outright by the boss.


    Speaking of the boss, I was curious about him but currently had no clues.


    Facing Harold¡¯s hopeful expression, I didn¡¯t immediately make a decision. Instead, I said, ¡°Please


    provide me with thepany¡¯s information, and I¡¯ll review it before making a decision.¡±


    Harold gave me an ¡°okay¡± hand gesture, and we concluded the meeting.


    Thepany¡¯s background was straightforward. The head had worked as a technician elsewhere


    for several years, and it was a partnership based on the number of shareholders.


    Suchpanies had pros and cons. The advantage was that no single person¡¯s issues would


    drastically impact thepany¡¯s overall development. The disadvantage was that too many


    decision¨Cmakers couldplicate matters.


    After careful consideration, I decided that the coboration seemed viable, so I went to see Xander.


    Xander was the boss of thepany. Moreover, it was clear that thepany wasn¡¯t pursuing


    aggressive growth, but rather focusing on stability and quality based on the previous performance.


    The approach to client selection was thus one of quality over quantity.


    His office door was open. Seeing that he was on the phone, I decided toe backter. But upon


    seeing me, he gestured for me toe in.


    ¡°Yes.


    What we need right now is a top¨Ctier lighting technician, someone with exceptional technical skills.


    The sry isn¡¯t an issue. If he¡¯s willing toe, I¡¯d even give up my position if necessary. Alright. I¡¯ll


    wait for your good news.¡±

 Redmption 251

    Redmption 251


    Xander hung up and sighed. Then, his face brightened with a radiant smile when he looked at me.


    ¡°Have a seat, Ms. Crown.¡± Xander gestured for me to sit.


    As soon as I settled into the chair, he sighed again. ¡°It¡¯s really tough to find good talent these days.¡±


    I had picked up on a hint from his earlier phone call. ¡°Are we really short on technical talent now?¡±


    ¡°Yes, we¡¯re short. An engineer from our tech team resigned yesterday, and we were already


    struggling to find this type of talent. This just makes things worse,¡± Kander said.


    He shook his head, an unusually stressed expression on his face. Since I joined the Hueton


    Corporation and got to know him, Xander had always appeared cheerful and seemingly carefree.


    ¡°Right now, there¡¯s a divide in thebor market at Hilcord. There¡¯s no shortage of highly educated


    professionals, but weck skilled, experienced workers.


    ¡°On the other hand, there are plenty of unskilledborers, but we need workers who are willing to


    put in the effort on the front lines,¡± I exined the current employment situation.


    Xander nodded enthusiastically and gave me a thumbs¨Cup. ¡°You¡¯ve nailed it, Ms. Crown. You really


    understand both the business and human resources aspects. You¡¯re a multi¨Ctalented professional.¡±


    1 could only manage a forced smile at the praise. Then, I took out the contract Harold discussed


    with me


    earlier.


    ¡°I reviewed thepany¡¯s information. Although it¡¯s a newly establishedpany, its leadership


    structure and future prospects look promising. Moreover, their willingness to cooperate seems


    genuine. Xander took the contract from me. ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll review it and make a final decision.


    ¡°Great!¡± I agreed. Then, I thought about my appointment with Bree and realized that I might not be


    able to return to the office untilter in the afternoon.


    ¡°Mr. Roulder, I need to step out for lunch. I¡¯ll be back in the officeter in the afternoon.¡±


    ¡°Ms. Crown, you don¡¯t need to inform me of these things in the future. Just make your own


    decisions,¡± Xander said with a wave of his hand.


    ¡°Thank you!¡±


    As I started to leave, Xander called out to me. ¡°Ms. Crown, you seemed to know a lot about the


    talent market. Do you happen to know or have connections with any skilled technical professionals?


    If so, please introduce them to me.¡±


    His question reminded me of Brandon. But since he had a stable job, I couldn¡¯t ask him to leave it


    for thispany.


    ¡°I¡¯ll keep an eye out,¡± I told Xander.


    ¡°Ms. Crown,¡± Xander called out again as I reached the door.


    I turned back to him. ¡°Is there anything else, Mr. Roulder?¡±


    He smiled again. ¡°Are you off to a date or something?¡±


    1 was speechless.


    ¡°I¡¯m just curious. You¡¯re such a beautiful woman and now single, so¡­ Well, ha ha¡­¡± At that


    moment, Xander was acting downright obnoxious.


    Despite his slightly irritating demeanor, I couldn¡¯t get too annoyed. I decided to be honest and said,


    ¡°I¡¯m not going on a date.¡±


    ¡°Oh. That¡¯s good to know.¡± Xander¡¯s reaction gave me the impression that he had some personal


    interest


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    in me.


    Despite his excessive concern, he didn¡¯t show any other signs of interest. Still, it was best to resolve


    things before they gotplicated.


    So, I added, ¡°I¡¯m not single. I already have a boyfriend.


    Xander¡¯s eyes brightened. ¡°You have a boyfriend? Who is he?¡±


    I found it difficult to answer. We weren¡¯t close, so I wondered why he acted like he was my brother.


    As I wondered how to respond, someone outside suddenly said, ¡°Who here is Madeline Crown?¡±


    I didn¡¯t have to answer Xander after all. I stepped outside and started to speak. ¡°I¡¯m-¡±


    But the rest of my words were caught in my throat when I saw who was calling me and what he was


    holding in his arms.

 Redmption 252

    Redmption 252


    ¡°Ms. Crown, please sign for your flowers,¡± the courier said as he handed me the flowers he was


    holding.


    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    It was a bouquet of white roses. These were my favorite flowers, and only someone who knew me


    well


    would know that.


    The first person I thought was Chris. He always gave me white roses for my birthdays and white


    lilies on ordinary days. But today wasn¡¯t my birthday, so I was confused about this sudden gift.


    While I was still in a daze, the courier raised the bouquet in front of me again. I had no choice but to


    ept the flowers from him as he panted, eager to fulfill his next delivery.


    ¡°Who sent them? Your boyfriend?¡± Xander appeared behind me, as usual.


    Just as I was about to deny it, a card that had been hidden in the flowers fell out. Xander was just


    like a model of kindness. He bent down to pick it up for me and handed it back.


    The card read, ¡°Madeline, I hope you have a great day.¡±


    The word ¡°Madeline¡± made my scalp tingle, and Yerick¡¯s smirking face shed before my eyes. I


    never expected it to be from him. I wondered how he knew I liked white roses.


    After a brief moment of contemtion, I realized the answer. It must have been Jewel who told him


    A surge of frustration welled up in my chest. So, this woman was so afraid that I wouldpete with


    her for a man that she sent her brother to pursue me.


    I wondered if she didn¡¯t worry that I might actually agree and make things more awkward for her.


    ¡°Who sent these?¡± Xander buzzed around like a curious bee.


    Although I was sure Xander had no romantic intentions toward me, he was definitely interested in


    my personal life. So, I decided to y along and smiled mischievously.


    ¡°A young and attractive one.¡±


    ¡°Uh?¡± Xander was momentarily stunned.


    I ignored his shocked expression and walked into my office.


    ¡°Wow! Ms. Crown, your boyfriend had great taste. The flowers are beautiful.¡±


    ¡°Ms. Crown, you really are different, liking white roses.¡±


    The colleagues continued with their teasing, and I responded with a mild smile. ¡°If I didn¡¯t have good


    taste, I wouldn¡¯t be working with you all.¡±


    My diplomatic remark ttered them and quieted them down, sending them back to their tasks.


    Once inside my office, I set the bouquet on the couch. I held the card and nced at the number


    deliberately included on it.


    I thought this had to be an invitation to call and berate him. He was utterly audacious. He even left a


    phone number as if he was eager to be scolded.


    But if he wanted to be scolded, I wasn¡¯t going to waste my breath giving him that satisfaction.


    1 tossed the card into the trash can. Then, I opened myputer to start working, and my phone


    buzzed. It was a message from Brandon.


    ¡°Busy?¡±


    2/7


    The text was as sinct as if he were speaking in person, not wasting a single word.


    I leaned back in my chair and replied, ¡°Not really.¡±


    Brandon quickly responded, ¡°What are you doing now?¡±


    I replied, ¡°Sending you a message.¡±


    Brandon responded with an ellipsis. He was speechless.


    I asked, ¡°Is something up?¡±


    He replied, ¡°Nothing.¡±


    I was at a loss for how to respond. Receiving a message with no real reason behind it¨Cthis was


    something I understood well from past rtionships. It meant he missed me.


    The smell of romance was so strong and unmistakable. That was just the beginning of the


    rtionship.


    Brandon asked, ¡°Is there anything happening at work today?¡±


    I frowned. Just as I was about to reply with a ¡°no¡°, my eyes fell on the roses on the sofa.


    I snapped a photo and sent it. ¡°Do they look nice?¡±


    Brandon asked, ¡°Where did theye from?¡±


    I could almost picture him frowning as he typed those words. I couldn¡¯t help but smile slightly as I


    replied, ¡°Someone sent them.¡±


    Spin to im Your Surprise Reward

 Redmption 253

    Redmption 253


    After sending that message, I added another, ¡°Sent by a young and attractive man.¡±


    I watched the message go through and waited for Brandon¡¯s reply. The seconds turned into


    minutes, but there was still no response.


    ¡°Hmm?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±


    ¡°Is he angry?¡±


    ¡°Ignoring me?¡±


    My fingers hovered over the keyboard, ready to send him a follow¨Cup message. But after typing a


    line, I reconsidered and deleted it.


    If he got upset over someone sending me flowers, then he wasn¡¯t any different from Chris. Back in


    school, I was often pursued. Even at work, some people tried pursuing me despite not


    understanding my rtionship with Chris.


    Every time, Chris would get angry. He wasn¡¯t only scolding the person but also ming me for


    attracting attention.


    To avoid upsetting him, I often sacrificed my feelings. I even deliberately distanced myself from any


    male friends who might cause misunderstandings. I didn¡¯t want to feel that way again.


    So, I tossed my phone aside and focused on work. About ten minutester, my phone rang. It was a


    call from Brandon. I frowned and answered.


    ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you respond to my messages?¡± Brandon¡¯s voice was a bit muffled, clearly tinged with


    frustration.


    I was taken aback and opened my WhatsApp. I saw several messages from him.


    ¡°I¡¯m not feeling well, but I know it¡¯s not your fault.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine if others send flowers, but you¡¯re not allowed to like them.


    ¡°And don¡¯t say things like that. It makes me uneasy.


    His messages were filled with a sense of grievance. It left me at a loss for words.


    ¡°Why aren¡¯t you saying anything?¡± Brandon asked again


    My mouth moved slightly as I said, ¡°I don¡¯t know what to say.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not angry, just¡­ a little jealous,¡± Brandon admitted honestly.


    N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    I couldn¡¯t help butugh. ¡°Jealous? What do you look like when you¡¯re jealous, Mr. Howell? Send


    me a photo.¡±


    ¡°What did you have for lunch? Brandon changed the subject.


    I wondered if he was trying to have lunch with me or if he wanted to send me a loving lunch. I had to


    decline, so I told him about my lunch ns with Bree.


    ¡°I wanted to have lunch with you,¡± Brandon revealed his thoughts.


    I smiled. ¡°Brandon, you¡¯re so clingy. Aren¡¯t you busy?¡±


    After asking him that, I remembered he was nning to leave that day, so he probably didn¡¯t have


    much work to do.


    ¡°Brandon, you mentioned leaving. Are you going back to work?¡± I asked the question I had asked


    earlier.


    ¡°No. I¡¯m taking care of other matters. I¡¯ll be backter settling in Hilcord with you.¡± Brandon¡¯s


    response surprised me.


    But I knew hispany headquarters wasn¡¯t here, and there were no subsidiaries either.


    ¡°What about your job?¡± I couldn¡¯t help but ask.


    Brandon didn¡¯t answer, which reminded me of what Xander had said. ¡°Brandon, would you like to


    work at Hueton Corporation? We¡¯re hiring, and we need someone with your talents.¡±


    ¡°You want me to work with you?¡± Brandon asked in return.


    I was momentarily stunned, a bit embarrassed by his misunderstanding. ¡°Not working together. Just


    in the samepany. I¡¯m in the marketing department, not in the same department.¡±


    ¡°That means we could see each other anytime.¡± Brandon¡¯s words left me momentarily speechless.


    ¡°Alright!¡± In the next moment, Brandon agreed.


    Yet, I couldn¡¯t help feeling a bit of regret. When I first joined Gildon Corporation as Chris¡¯s assistant,


    my goal was to be close to him and make our rtionship easier. But reality hit hard. Instead of


    fostering romance, it only made Chris grow tired of me.


    ¡°Get back to work, and I¡¯ll see youter,¡± Brandon said before hanging up, leaving me in a daze.


    Trouble often came from careless words, and it was true. But it was toote to regret now. I hoped


    Brandon would find a better opportunity and maybe change his mind. Perhaps I could convince him


    later tonight.


    I pped my forehead, punishing myself for getting into trouble.


    At 11:00 a.m., I left the office and headed to the Elegant Restaurant Bree had mentioned. The waiter


    recognized me and led me to a private room.


    ¡°Please!¡± The waiter opened the door for me.


    I stepped inside and was surprised to find not just Bree, but also Chris and Jewel.

 Redmption 254

    Redmption 254


    Bree hadn¡¯t mentioned that Chirs and Jewel would be joining us. If she had, I definitely wouldn¡¯t


    havee. It wasn¡¯t that I was afraid to face them, but their presence was definitely affecting my


    appetite. ¡°Maddie, you¡¯re here. We¡¯ve been waiting for you,¡± Bree said cheerfully as she greeted me


    with a hug


    a gentle


    It was hard to refuse Bree¡¯s kindness, so I forced a smile and replied, ¡°Bree, I thought it would be


    just us.¡± ¡°Well, it was just us¡­ They¡­ Bree pouted toward Chris and Jewel. ¡°I ran into them


    unexpectedly.¡±


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    I didn¡¯t believe they had run into each other by chance, I wasn¡¯t a child anymore. I knew better than


    to believe that.


    But if I left now, it would only make Bree ufortable and make me seem unable to handle the


    situation.


    So, I mockingly responded, ¡°What a coincidence.¡±


    ¡°Sorry for disturbing you and Mrs. Gildon,¡± Jewel added.


    If they knew they were intruding, they should have just left instead of sitting there sofortably.


    When I first met Jewel, I genuinely thought she was as sweet as she looked. But now, I had a clear


    understanding of how much she could pretend.


    I didn¡¯t bother to be polite. ¡°If I¡¯d known you wereing, I wouldn¡¯t havee.¡±


    Jewel¡¯s expression faltered slightly, and Chirs¡¯s face darkened. He then asked, ¡°Can we start


    serving the food?¡±


    It was then that I realized Bree¡¯sment about waiting for me wasn¡¯t just a formality.


    However, it was quite awkward that Jewel, Bree¡¯s future daughter¨Cinw, was left sitting there


    while Bree didn¡¯t even serve any food.


    ¡°Go a


    ahead and serve the dishes, including the orange juice,¡± Bree said as she led me to sit next to her.


    With a stern face, Chris signaled for the waiter to bring out the food.


    ¡®Maddie, you¡¯ve gained some weight recently. Your hands are plump. Bree observed closely.


    I had recently gained two pounds, all thanks to Brandon. Normally, I should have been heartbroken


    and losing weight after a breakup.


    Thinking of this, I smiled and replied to Bree, ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve gained weight. But it¡¯s because I¡¯m in a good


    mood, eating well, and sleeping soundly.¡±


    A clinking sound came from across the table as Chris¡¯s cutleries ttered onto his te. I saw Bree


    nce at him before saying. ¡°It¡¯s thanks to Brandon taking good care of you.¡±


    Bree¡¯s sharp words seemed targeted. Now, I even wondered whether Bree was my biological


    mother. When it came to me and her son, she was clearly on my side.


    I smiled and pressed my lips together. Bree then asked, ¡°Is Brandon free? If he is, he shoulde


    too. The more, the merrier.¡±


    ¡°Mom!¡± Chris retorted, his voice stern.


    Before I could respond, he said, ¡°You love the grilled fish here. Would you like to order it?¡±


    2/2


    ¡°Yes,¡± Bree replied without hesitation. ¡°Maddie loves it too.¡±


    Jewel¡¯s delicate face became even paler. But this paleness was tinged with a reddish hue, a result


    of being ignored and pricked at by Bree¡¯s sharp words.


    The sight was genuinely pitiful. Yet, there was often something to despise in those who were pitiful.


    Everything that had happened was her fault.


    Though I had moved on from my past with Chris and had no reason to target Jewel, I could see that


    Bree clearly disliked Jewel. Her sharp remarks were evidence of that.


    Chris ordered the grilled fish, effectively cutting off Bree¡¯s invitation to Brandon. In reality, I knew that


    Bree wasn¡¯t genuinely inviting Brandon. She was just using him to provoke Chris.


    As the food arrived, two sses of orange juice were served. With four people in the room, Chris


    didn¡¯t like the sweet drink, but there was Jewel. That made for an awkward situation.

 Redmption 255

    Redmption 255


    I didn¡¯t reach for the orange juice myself. I waited to see how the waiter would handle it. But before


    the waiter could move, Chris took two sses of orange juice. He ced one in front of me and held


    the other.


    Then, he said, ¡°Mom, you have high blood sugar. I had them prepare almond milk instead.¡±


    Before Bree could respond, Chris set the other ss in front of Jewel. Jewel shed Chris a


    delicate smile, but it was filled with a sense of fragility.


    The look was genuinely affecting. It was so moving that even I found it hard to bear, let alone Chris.


    Bree must have noticed, as she refrained from making any more sharp remarks.


    As the dishes continued toe out, I noticed that they were all my favorites. Bree served me each


    dish, making me feel as if I had some issues with my hands and couldn¡¯t serve myself.


    Chris and Jewel seemed to bepletely ignored as if they were mere bystanders. I felt genuinely


    awkward. If it were me, I would have been overwhelmed and ufortable.


    Under Bree¡¯s constant fussing, I eventually had to call a break and find an excuse to go to the


    restroom. Unexpectedly, Chris followed me out.


    ¡°Madeline, my mom is being unreasonable.¡±


    I smiled faintly. ¡°Then you should talk to her.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Chris¡¯s face turned cold. ¡°My mom is standing up for you. Can¡¯t you see that?¡±


    ¡°I do,¡± I replied bluntly.


    ¡°Madeline, you¡¯ve found someone new. Why are you encouraging my mom to target Jewel? I¡¯ve told


    you before, everything here is my debt to Jewel. My mom¡¯s treatment of her only adds to my guilt,¡±


    Chris said angrily.


    ¡°Chris, do you think you¡¯re worth my effort to influence others?¡± I responded coldly.


    Chris was momentarily taken aback by my words. I looked at him with disdain. ¡°The moment I gave


    up on you, you stopped being worth my time of effort.¡±


    ¡°Madeline, I don¡¯t believe that,¡± Chris said, his voice low.


    ¡°Then what do you believe? That this is all an act? That I still harbor feelings for you?¡± I pressed on.


    ¡°Chris, where does your confidencee from? My love is reserved for those who deserve it. Do


    you think you¡¯re worthy of my love?¡±


    Chris was left speechless.


    ¡°By the way, Jewel¡¯s brother, Yerick, seems to have lost his mind. He¡¯s trying to pursue me and


    even sent flowers to my office. And guess what? He sent white roses.¡±


    As soon as the words left my mouth, Chris¡¯s eyes immediately widened in shock. ¡°When did this


    happen?¡±


    ¡°Today,¡± I said with a mocking smile. ¡°Chris, do you think I should agree to it?¡±


    Chris¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°I had no idea about this.¡±


    ¡®Then at least you¡¯re still decent,¡± I said coldly.


    If he really instructed Yerick to pursue me, then I would have been blind to have loved him for so


    many


    years.


    ¡°I¡¯ll get to the bottom of this,¡± Chris muttered.


    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    I didn¡¯t respond and instead headed back to the restroom.


    ¡°Maddie,¡± Chris called after me, but I didn¡¯t stop. However, I still heard what he said afterward. He


    asked, If I died one day, would you feel heartbroken?¡±


    Suddenly, my nerves tightened, and my chest felt heavy. But I didn¡¯t stop, nor did I respond. I


    wanted to retort harshly, saying he would find out after he was gone, but I decided to leave a line of


    decency, especially since he had been someone I once loved.


    Three minutester, I emerged from the restroom to find that Chris had vanished. I didn¡¯t know if he


    had


    gone


    back to the private room or left altogether.


    Considering the scene in the private room, I was reluctant to return. Hence, I wandered over to the


    fish pond to watch the fish.


    After a while, I heard some familiar footsteps. It sounded like Brandon¡¯s. I looked up quickly and saw


    Brandon, and standing next to him was none other than Xander.

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    I couldn¡¯t help but think, ¡°Brandon and Xander?¡±


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    ¡°The boss?¡±


    ¡°Howell?¡±


    In an instant, a dozen thoughts shed through my mind.


    I had my suspicions about them before. I had even tried to test them out separately, but both denied


    any connection. Now, seeing them together, I couldn¡¯t wall to see how they would exin this.


    ¡°Brandon!¡± I called out.


    Both Brandon and Xander stopped and turned to look in my direction.


    I was crouched beside the fish pond, so it seemed like they didn¡¯t spot me immediately. Xander


    nudged Brandon. ¡°Who¡¯s calling you? That voice sounded like¡­


    But he didn¡¯t finish his sentence. Brandon had already started striding over.


    ¡°This ce is dangerous,¡± he said, reaching out to me. I thought he was going to pull me up, so I


    extended my hand.


    But, to my surprise, his arm wrapped around me. I felt my body lift off the ground as he carried me


    away from the fish pond.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you supposed to be having lunch? What are you doing over here?¡± Brandon asked as he set


    me down. He was sharp enough to realize this was a restaurant and that I hade here to eat.


    His sudden embrace threw my thoughts into disarray. It took me a few seconds toe back to my


    senses.


    I nced at him and then looked over to Xander, who was standing nearby with a gossipy smile on


    his face. ¡°You and him¡­ know each other?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Brandon replied without hesitation. Then, he added, ¡°We just met.¡±


    Xander approached us with a knowing smile. ¡°So¡­ Mr. Crown¡¯s boyfriend is you, Mr. Howell? That


    exins why you came to interview at my ce, saying you were referred by someone. Was it our


    dear Ms. Crown who introduced you?¡±


    That cleared up the reason why Brandon and Xander were together. It made sense. After all, I had


    already mentioned it to Brandon. But the speed at which he moved was astonishing.


    I looked at Brandon with a doubtful expression. He seemedpletely unbothered and lowered his


    voice slightly. He said, ¡°Someone else has their eyes on my girlfriend, so it¡¯s better if I stay close.¡±


    I was left speechless. Although Brandon¡¯s voice was low, Xander seemed to have heard it anyway.


    He chuckled and said, ¡°Ms. Crown, aren¡¯t you going to wee your new colleague?¡±


    I thought, ¡°So, Brandon got the job?¡±


    He was indeed qualified, but this seemed a bit too easy. It made me wonder if Xander was


    genuinely that impressed by him. Was he impressed enough to take him out to celebrate?


    Looking forward to working with you, Ms. Crown,¡± Brandon added, extending his hand to me.


    Seeing how serious he looked, I was about to shake his hand when Xander cut in, ¡°With your


    rtionship, why shake hands? You two should be hugging.¡±


    Chapter 25c


    I was speechless.


    ¡°Great idea!¡± Brandon agreed, then pulled me into his arms.


    ¡°Perfect! Truly perfect.¡± Xander sighed from the side.


    Even though it was just a hug, and I had already established a rtionship with Brandon, I couldn¡¯t


    help feeling a bit embarrassed.


    As I was about to pull away, I heard Jewel¡¯s voice, low and forlorn. ¡°Chris, I don¡¯t know what to do.


    Tell me what can I do to make your mom like me?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to do anything¡­¡± Chris¡¯s voice was cold and distant.


    ¡°Why?¡± Jewel continued to ask.


    I already knew the answer. It was because Bree didn¡¯t like Jewel as a person. No matter what she


    did, that wouldn¡¯t change.


    However, Chris was giving her a bit of dignity and hadn¡¯t made it so explicit.


    ¡°Come on. Let me take you home,¡± Chris said.


    Jewel didn¡¯t reply. I thought they were leaving, but then Chris spoke again. ¡°Let¡¯s go. Unless you


    n to go back and eat. Can you even manage that?¡±

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    ?


    Chris'' tone couldn''t sound any harsher.


    "I understand you, Chris. No matter what I do, Mrs. Gildon won''t like me. I''m sorry for dragging you into this emotional mess." Jewel had gotten the gist of it.


    Nevertheless, her apology was self-effacing. She hadn''t done


    anything that warranted it. Even if she had, it would''ve been due to her overwhelming love for him. Otherwise, she wouldn''t have endured those grievances for him.


    ¡°I don''t mind the mess because I deserved it, but you should stop creating trouble for yourself." Chris sounded unusually cranky. "Chris, I don''t understand you. What do you mean?" Jewel had always been meek but seemed even more so before Chris. I couldn''t tell


    whether that was her nature or facade.


    "Exin Yerick then." When Chris brought him up, I knew he nned to confront Jewel.N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    "What''s with Ricky? Did he ask you to clean up his mess again?" Her voice turned nervous. Chris huffed. "Are you acting clueless?"


    "Chris, I really don''t know what you''re talking about." The innocent Jewel became anxious.


    "Yerick is pursuing Madeline." I felt the grip on my arm tighten when Chris said that, and I locked eyes with Brandon, who wore a frown.


    was about to exin myself when Jewel retorted, "That''s impossible.


    Chris scoffed. "He even sent flowers to her office."


    Jewel was momentarily speechless before responding meekly. "He''s probably just toying with her for fun because Madeline molested him


    was at a loss for words. Id exined myself regarding that incident and even proved Yerick had lied when the police checked the surveince footage. against me


    "You actually think I don''t know about that?" That statement simrly


    angered Chris.


    "Chris, let''s not talk about that anymore. I swear I didn''t know Yerick was pursuing her. I''ll call and warn him to quit his antics!" Jewel promised him.


    Receiving no response from Chris,


    she softly added, "Think about it, Chris. There''s no way I told him to pursue Madeline. If she ends up dating him out of spite, I''d be the first to be repulsed by their


    rtionship. Don''t you think?"


    I was d she knew as much.


    "So, how did he know Madeline likes the white rose of York? Not


    many people know that," Chris questioned with a clear mind.


    "I don''t know. I didn''t even know Madeline liked that. I''ve only seen you sending her regr white roses," Jewel exined.


    Chris had no words to refute her statement, and I was simrly


    baffled. How did Yerick, that rascal, know that I liked the white rose of


    York then? Did he investigate me?


    Just as I thought of that, I heard Xander''s voice. "How long do you two n to hug? The food is getting cold."


    At his words, I finally realized I''d been in Brandon''s arms all this time. My face instantly flushed, and I quickly escaped from his embrace. "You two carry on. I have to get back to my table."


    I was ready to leave right then, but Brandon tugged at me. When I turned around, I saw Chris and Jewel looking at us.


    Their faces were a picture of


    contrast one was grim and the


    other was ashen. I ignored them and


    turned to Brandon, saying, "Go on


    with your luncheon. I gotta head


    back in. Content belongs to


    ¡°Okay. Let''s leave together afterward. I''ll wait for you," Brandon said with an affectionate gaze.


    I nodded and parted ways with him.


    He returned to the private room with Xander while I went to Bree''s.. However, I had no choice but to walk


    n


    past Chris and Jewel before heading there.

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    ?


    "Excuse me. Make way, please," I naturally said as I walked toward


    them.


    Chris stayed motionless and locked his gaze on me, while Jewel simply nced at me before


    making way. When I walked past them, I saw her grabbing his wrist as though afraid he woulde after me.


    ¡°Come on, Maddie. Let''s dig in." When I entered the room, enthusiastically weed me.


    Bree


    I took my seat and feigned ignorance, asking, "Why is it just us left, Bree?"


    "It was supposed to be just us, but some people had to butt in." Bree was visibly contemptuous toward Chris and Jewel.


    I snickered. "That''d only make things awkward between you and Chris, Bree."


    I wasn''t trying to act like a saint. I simply wanted them to live harmoniously as a family because Zack and Bree had been showering me with much lov


    remember.


    "He did it all to himself." Bree didn''t intend to take the high road.


    I stopped at my kind reminder since it wasn''t my ce to say anything else. As such, I diverted my attention to the delicacies before me.


    "What took you so long at the washroom?" Bree asked.


    "I ran into Brandon," I replied honestly.


    She was slightly startled but quickly joked, "Did he follow you here so you wouldn''t get abducted?"


    "No. He came here for a meal with his superior." I decided to be


    vague.


    Bree ced more food before me. "Maddie, I''m sure Brandon is a nice guy with great attributes, and promise you that Zack and I trust you with him. It''s just that


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    Content


    She had difficulty expressing herself, but I got the gist. "You think he doesn''t have a great family background, right?¡±


    ¡°That''s right. Zack and I wouldn''t want you to suffer. It''s extremely difficult to live a life worrying about money every day," shemented.


    I understood Bree''s concern as she


    had experienced it firsthand. GildonBelongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    Corporation wasn''t some


    century-old business, but rather the


    result of her and Zack''s blood,


    sweat, and tears. Content belongs to


    The couple had been through countless entrepreneurial hardships during their early years but never mentioned it. It was Chris who had told me about them.


    ording to him, their family of five, including his grandma


    at that time, depended on Zack alone to feed the family. As such, it wasmon for them to be in dire straits.


    Their house consisted of only two rooms, one belonging to Zack and Bree and the other to Chris and his grandma.


    Bree became a housewife, while


    Zack became the sole breadwinner. His earnings were barely enough to cover their monthly expenses, often running out before the next paycheck came in.


    Faced with that struggle, Bree took up jobs and endured many grievances.


    As I recalled those stories, I couldn''t help but ask, "Were you and Zack struggling before you established Gildon Corporation?"


    "We were very much, but I''d prefer not to recall that period." She


    shook her head while saying that.


    People often said to reflect on hardships to appreciate the good in the bad, but some struggles were too painful for one to look back on.


    I gazed at her. ¡°Is that why you two started the business? Because it was getting overwhelming?"


    "Yes, but it''s also fate." Bree smiled faintly.


    "You''re right. My parents came to Hilcord to start up a business, but... * I trailed off.


    Upon hearing that, Bree instantly patted me on the shoulder. ¡°We''re not talking about this. Let''s not bring


    up the past and instead focus on the future."


    However, I shook my head. "Bree, were you there at my parents''


    crash? Did something go wrong with the car, or was it a collision ?¡±

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    ?


    I realized how awful of a daughter I was right then. I only knew my parents died in a car crash but not how or why.


    Bree''s expression shifted slightly, and she held my wrist. "Maddie, didn''t I say not to bring it up? It''s in the past."


    "I''m no longer a kid now, Bree. I can take the truth. Tell me, please." I held her hand.


    Her fingers trembled slightly. "It''s all history, Maddie. Why do you wish to bring it up?"


    I stayed silent briefly before saying, "That''s because they''re my parents, Bree, my only family in this world."


    My parents were orphans who grew up at the orphanage. Simrly, I became one when they left me.


    My words probably pulled at her heartstrings, so it took her a second to recount the incident.


    "Zack and I did go to the ce of ident. By the time we


    arrived, your mother had passed, while your father was hanging on hisst breath. He grabbed Zack''s hand and only uttered your name..."


    Bree choked up, and I could feel my chest tightening. The incident was still a fresh wound to her despite how old it was. At that


    moment, I understood why she refused to bring up the past. She was afraid of hurting me.


    "We knew he wanted us to look after you because he cared a lot about you," she murmured.


    I felt terrible triggering such sadness within Bree. However, I didn''t bring this matter up for mourning. I suppressed my searing emotions and asked, ¡°H did the car crash happen? Was it a collision?"


    She sighed. "The car rear-ended arge tanker truck."


    In my mind a simr scenario I had seen in


    a video suddenly yed, shrouding me in apprehension. My breath was thin as I asked, "Did the brakes malfunction? Was that what caused the idAll text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    Bree pursed her lips. "I''m not too sure about that. Even the


    driver passed away at the scene, and the car waspletely totaled. The cause of the ident remains unclear."


    "Not even Zack knows?" I remember him reacting rather emotionally when I askedst time.


    "Well..." Bree seemed hesitant.


    "Please just tell me, Bree." I carried


    tearful


    one. She stroked my f


    "Maddie, they''re gone. Why doefed


    still want to know?"


    Her avoidance spiked my anxiety. ¡°What is it that you can''t tell me, Bree?¡±


    Faced with my emotional state, she sighed and said, "I think... the


    brakes malfunctioned."


    "Didn''t the driver check the car?" I asked.


    She held my hand. "Maddie, the driver is dead."


    In other words, I couldn''t pin the me on anyone, especially not on person. Besides, the


    was Brandon''s father... Ce get


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    "Maddie, that''s enough. Let''s eat." Bree switched the topic.


    But how could I eat after that? I knew Brandon''s father couldn''t have


    been the culprit because he was investigating his death as well. But.... perhaps it was rted to the


    contract my dad was supposed to sign. Content belongs to


    UMS


    I looked at Bree again and asked, "Bree, do you know if my parents were working on a startup before their passings?"


    She was about to ce some food on my te when her hands


    trembled, causing her utensils to tter to the ground. I looked at her skin, which was covered in goosebumps.


    I couldn''t ignore such a strange reaction. My heart dropped, and I could feel my scalp tingling. "Bree...

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    Bree ced her utensils down and looked at me. "Yes. Your father


    was even ready to sign the contract. The same contract I found in


    my dad''s notebook.


    "And he didn''t get to sign it because of the ident?" I asked with a shaky voice.


    She nodded. At that moment, I could feel my anxiety surging. Then, Bree sighed.


    "That contract was the first one your father and Zack had when they started their business."


    What? Zack had a copy of that contract? Things weren''t as I thought.


    "Your father and Zack were so


    intent on working with Arthur Griffins from Alpha Corporation that they did everything he asked. They went fishing, raced cars, and he even asked then ¡°Arthur had an underworld background and loved messing with


    people. Since they desperately wanted his support, they risked their lives ying his games...


    "One time, he took them out to the sea for fishing and encountered a hurricane. Only two life jackets were on the boat, and your


    father and Zack wanted to sacrifice their life jackets for each other.


    "Since then, Arthur no longer gave them a hard time and agreed to assign them the contract. Since your father knew the ins and outs of contracts mor "Your father did eventually detect faults in the contract. As such, Arthur had someone draft a new contract and told them to sign it.


    Who knew... your father encountered a car crash on his way to sign it,Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    Bree retold the story in excruciating detail, and I could almost


    visualize myself with them.


    So that was the truth. It wasn''t the version I dreaded, which was enough.


    I was afraid the truth would be just like my imagination because


    I''d long seen Zack and Bree as my parents. After heaving a sigh of relief, I stayed silent.


    Bree remained stuck in her


    memories. "At that time, the four of


    us had a deal. Your father and Zack would the contract, while your mother and I would wait outside. Me and your mother even secretly nned to wee them with hugs and flowers as soon as they signed it..." Content belongs to


    So, that was why my mom was with my dad on his way to sign the contract. I had finally gotten the answers to my questions, which I had previously overthought.


    At that moment, I resented myself for thinking Zack would


    orchestrate that car ident to steal that contract for himself. I felt


    so awful for ever doubting a couple who treated me like their own.


    "I''m sorry, Bree," I apologized.


    Bree looked at me and shook her head slightly. "We''re the ones who should apologize. If Zack and your father hadn''t started the business, your parents wouldn''t have left."


    Was that why? Maybe... Maybe it was fate.


    "My parents simply didn''t have that


    good fortune." I looked at Bree, whose face carried an unmistakable air of elegance. If my mother were still alive, she would likely begust as graceful as her.


    "No matter what, Maddie, you''re still our daughter." She gripped my


    hand.


    I understood her sentiment, but I knew I could never be that. Due to Chns, it was destined that our bond wouldn''t be the same as the past.


    I nodded, and she smiled. "Come on, Let''s dig in."


    In reality, I had no appetite to eat anything. Not wanting to hear Bree''s lecture, I simply took a few bites and used Brandon as an excuse, saying he wa


    Of course, Brandon and Xander''s luncheon was still ongoing. After bidding farewell to Bree, I waited for him.


    To be more urate, I wasn''t


    waiting for him, but rather giving


    myself space and time to digest the


    new information I received from


    Bree


    was still lost in my thoughts


    when Brandon arrived at the car.


    "Waited for long?" he asked once he entered the car.


    ¡°Not really." I saw Xander waving at me in the meantime.

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    ?


    Xander''s amiability at that moment felt more like a friend''s than a


    superior''s to me.


    I returned his smile while asking Brandon, "You seem to be on the same wavelength as him. For the first time, I saw an employee eating with their bos


    As I spoke, I recalled Derick saying that the person supporting Xander had "Howell" as theirst name. I had to do something about my


    suspicions.


    "Mr. Roulder bought me a meal to know more about me. After all..." -Brandon paused for a moment before continuing, "A three million annual sry isn''t little."


    I was stunned. That was his annual sry? I didn''t know how capable he was until then.


    "What''s wrong? Do you think I''m not worth that?" He was straightforward.


    I tugged at my lips. "No... What was your sry at your previouspany?"


    ¡°30 thousand dors per month." I was speechless at his answer.


    Xander had offered him ten times the amount.


    "Mr. Roulder is... decisive." That was all I could say in the face of Brandon''s questioning expression.


    ¡°I actually asked for that amount, but I didn''t expect Mr. Roulder to say yes,¡± he exined.


    I chuckled dryly. "He''s desperate for talent." Then, I added, "But you''re brave for doing that, Brandon." Even in Gildon Corporation, that was the estimated range of sries for the vice president positions. "That''s my worth. Besides, I need money to marry my wife." His words. made my cheeks flush.


    I cleared my throat and quickly started the car, changing the topic. "Where are you heading? I''ll drop you off."


    "What about you?" He diverted the question back to me.


    "I''ll return to thepany after I drop you off."


    "Mr. Roulder said he''s given you a half-day leave so we can hang."


    I burst outughing. "Since when did he be so nice?"


    Just ask him if you don''t believe me." Immediately after, I received a text message from Xander, granting me half-day leave.


    I smiled helplessly. "Wow, Mr.


    Howell. You got the boss to grant


    you all sorts of wishes before you


    even started the job. Are you


    friends... or perhaps business


    partners with Mr. Roulder? Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    Brandon stayed silent and simply looked at me. I stared back at him but soon found myself dismissing my thoughts.


    Nevertheless, it was highly


    suspicious that Xander was so


    friendly with Brandon, and thatAll text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    another Howell member was behind thepany. Suddenly, a thought popped into my head. Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    "Brandon, do you have any other siblings? Perhaps a wealthy brother?"


    "Ellie is my only sibling."


    I pursed my lips. "What about any rich rtives with the same family name?"


    ¡°I have rtives, but they''re just ordinary employees, far from being wealthy." Brandon''s answer made me feel like I''d hit a brick wall.


    Perhaps it was all a big coincidence. At that point, I noticed I was someone of many suspicions.


    I suspected Zack because of a


    contract and simrly suspected


    Brandon, because Xander''s investor shared the samest name as


    Brandon. I was at a loss for words at myself.


    "Did you go to the police station?" Brandon suddenly spoke.


    I instinctively denied it. "No." I had been an obedient girl since childhood. Why would I have been to the police station?


    The next second, he asked, "What''s with the molesting incident then?"

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    Oh no. How did I forget about this? But I had nothing to be diffident about. I denied it immediately. "I didn''t molest him. It''s just an


    usation."


    "Huh?" Brandon stared at me. His gaze hinted that he wanted me to exin further.


    I med Yerick and told Brandon for the usation. I added in the end, "That idiot is just a narcissist. I don''t like this kind of person at all." "What kind of person do you like then? An older man, or a mature and calm man?" Brandon was very straightforward. He seemed to know quite a lot. I saw how serious he was and wanted to tease him again. I moved closer to him and said, "I like someone like you. Rough and hard."


    Then, I saw him gulp again because I teased him. When I moved back to my original spot, I heard him ask in a low voice, "How did you know I''m hard


    I was speechless and immediately blushed. I thought that Brandon was a very innocent man, but this question exposed his true nature as


    a man.


    "Why is your face red?" He just had to ask me this. He wasn''t easy to


    deal with. He counterattacked my teasing. When I was sighing, I heard him ask, ¡°Did you drink alcohol?"


    "No!"


    When I had just denied it, Brandon shouted, "Pull over!"


    "Why?" Although I asked a question, I stopped at the side of the road obediently. Once the car stopped, I felt Brandon leaning over to me.


    He made me face him and pressed me down.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    I widened my eyes. My first reaction was to think that he wanted to kiss me. But wasn''t he embarrassed because it was daytime and they were in the


    Otherwise how could he kiss me in


    the middle of the street? Even


    though couldn''t handle Chris indifference, I couldn''t ept


    Brandon''s actions of being horny at


    any time. Content belongs to


    I raised my hands and ced them on his chest. When I was about to push him away, I heard him say, "Open your mouth and blow."


    I didn''t understand what he wanted, but the way he grabbed my chin made me open my mouth in pain. Naturally, I was panting.


    In the next second, Brandon let go of me. "You didn''t drink alcohol, so why is your face so red?"


    My eyes widened. It was only then that I realized why he had me stop the car after asking if I had drunk alcohol. But he was the culprit for my face being red.


    "I''m blushing because of your inappropriate joke." My mouth moved faster than my brain again.


    Brandon frowned. "What inappropriate joke did I make?" He


    stammered as his ears turned red as well.


    Huh? He didn''t know? Or was he acting? But he said that just now...


    I didn''t believe that he didn''t know what he said. Anyway, since I had already said it, I should say the entire thing "You asked how I knew you were hard."


    Brandon froze. Then, he took a gulp and said, "I meant..."


    He couldn''t finish his words. The redness spread to his ears. He


    seemed to have just realized what I thought wasn''t the hardness he meant.


    This time, it was my turn to feel awkward. I felt so awkward that I wanted to bury myself in a hole. However, as long as I didn''t feel


    awkward, he would be the one who felt awkward.


    Thus, I boldly asked with my face red, "What was the hardness you were talking about?"


    Brandon straightened his back and tugged at his cor. "Drive!"

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    ?


    As I looked at Brandon''s reddened face and the sweat on the tip of his nose, I smiled. Upon seeing that, he turned away.N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    Meanwhile, I didn''t continue to tease him. I began to drive properly. The question about the hardness sessfully silenced us for a few


    minutes.


    When I thought about the little world he mentioned moments ago, I broke the silence. "Where do you n to go?"


    "Are you free this afternoon?" Brandon asked.


    "Yes!" Once I answered that, I realized I had answered too quickly. It made me seem too eager.


    A smile appeared on Brandon''s stiff face. "I''ll take you to a ce."


    This time, I restrained myself and kept quiet.


    "I''ll turn on the GPS. You can just follow the GPS." Brandon acquiesced that I had agreed.


    I followed the GPS and arrived at a remote suburb. The surrounding areas were deste. There was wild grass


    everywhere. The only thing that caught my attention was a river. It was very clear and sparkled


    when looked at from a distance.


    "Why did you want toe here? Do you want me to farm here with you?" I teased.


    Brandon looked around the surrounding areas and actually hummed


    in response.


    Upon hearing that, I chuckled. "You should continue to tinker with your electricity and lights and keep earning your million-dor sry." Brandon walked forward while I followed him. After taking two steps,


    I suddenly saw something whoosh by in the bushes, making me shriek instinctively


    Since Brandon was only two steps away from me, he turned around and ran over to me the moment I screamed.


    I pounced onto him instantly as well. After hopping into his embrace, 1 hugged his neck with my arms and his waist with my legs.


    When I was still a student, I couldn''t


    even pass the high jump. I didn''t expect to jump so perfectly this time. Besides, the position was amazing. I was like a ma which he couldn''t shrug off.


    Brandon held my lower back immediately "What''s wrong?"


    "There''s a snake!" My voice trembled. Although I didn''t know if what I saw just now was actually a snake, I thought that it was.


    Besides, this ce was covered in tall grass. What else could it be other than a snake? I hated animals with soft bodies. Even a caterpir could scare me to death.


    Brandon carried me while he walked. "It''s my fault."


    He didn''t exin why it was his fault


    as he carried me out of the


    el


    dested area and arrived by theke. However, I was still in shock The thought that it was time for me to get down didn''te across my mind.


    I asked, ¡°Should we test the water?"


    QUMS


    It was then that I realized I was hugging him very tightly. I even left red marks on his neck. I stuck out my tongue and quickly got off him before running to the side of theke.


    Brandon followed me. "Ellie said that you wanted a paradise like her."


    "Yeah. I want mountains, water, nts..." Then, I was stunned. I turned around and looked at the deste area behind me. "Brandon, are you..."


    Before I finished my question, Brandon nodded. "When we get married, I will give you a paradise here."


    I looked at him, stunned. I never thought that he had such a thought.


    "Do you want it?" Brandon asked.


    "Of course." Once again, I answered without hesitation.


    Upon hearing that, Brandon chuckled. "Alright." Then, he looked at the deste area and seemed to be nning how to build our home.


    Our home? When these two words crossed my mind, I realized that something was off. Was he proposing to me just now? And did


    I ept it unknowingly?


    "Brandon, you''re so cunning," I shouted.


    Brandon smiled and continued to walk forward. I went after him, but he started to run. The more he


    ran, the more I chased after him. Nevertheless, he didn''t run too far.


    After a while, he stopped, and I caught up to him. But before I could hit him, I felt my body lighten as he lifted me. Then, the world before me spun.


    "Mrs. Howell," Brandon called out softly as he hugged my waist with both arms and spun around with me in his arms.

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    I never thought that I could stillugh like a kid. Although I was


    already over 20, I could still experience being lifted and spun around like a kid.


    After being spun around happily, I was dizzy and couldn''t stand


    steadily. So, I could only stay in Brandon''s embrace obediently. However, at this moment, a thought crossed my mind. What if it was another trick of hi


    "When you were young, you liked to spin around like this," whispered Brandon next to my ear.


    When Brandon and I first


    met, I was rtively young. I couldn''t remember anything from back then. Now that he mentioned it, I asked, "What else did I like when I was young?"


    "You liked to be lifted high and sit on my shoulders as if you were riding a horse."


    Brandon''s words made my face flush. I pretended not to believe it. "I don''t remember anything. Anyway, it''s just your word against mine."


    Brandon didn''t mind what I said. He continued, "You liked to y with water as


    well and dance in the water. You loved sshing everywhere, and you constantly made yourself wet.


    "Is there anything else?" I was intrigued by his words.


    If a human was a designed product, there was an error in the design. How could humans lose their memories from the first five years of life as they grew up?


    That part of everyone''s life was the purest and most beautiful. If everyone could have that part of their memories, it might be able to heal many people adults.


    "Yeah. You liked to listen to stories and fairy tales. However, I didn''t know how to tell stories back then, so you thought I was stupid.¡±


    Iughed at what Brandon said. Then, he continued, "After that, I read many fairy tales but could no longer see you. I didn''t have the opportunity to tell you stories anymore."


    "Why didn''t we meet again?" I was interested in my childhood now.


    "It''s because my sister was born, and her health was bad. I followed my mother to my grandmother''s house so that


    she could take care of my sister while my mother worked."


    Brandon suddenly lowered his voice. At the mention of these past matters, his mood became heavy.


    hugged him tighter and changed the topic. "What else did I do when ! was young? Based on what you said, it sounds


    like I was very yful and naughty."


    "You were. You never stayed still. Even though you were yful and naughty, you were very cute." Brandon rubbed the top of my head with his chin.


    I smiled and said, "Brandon, from what you said, did you already like


    me at that time?"


    "Yes," Brandon admitted it.


    "How old were you back then? I was still a baby. Don''t you think..." I punched him lightly.N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    "It was just a teenager''s affection from the bottom of my heart. It was pure and simple. Don''t get the wrong idea," exined Brandon.


    After saying that, he added, "From then on, I never found a woman cuter than you, including Ellie."


    My heart skipped a beat. It was a one-of-a-kind affection.


    So, Is that why you proposed directly after you met and recognized me?" I teased.


    Brandon was silent for a while before responding. "It''s one of the reasons."


    ¡°What''s the other reason?" I realized that he was great at leaving me hanging and making me ask further questions.


    "It''s because..." He built suspense.


    I was a bit anxious. I raised my head and looked at him. Because of our height difference, I could see his sharp jawline. It looked very sexy.


    It was deadly. When I looked at his


    Adam''s apple, I found it sexy. When I


    looked at his face, I found him


    Pel!


    good-looking. Now, I even found his jawline to be seductive. Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    Perhaps it was just like what everyone said. If one loved someone, one would even think thetter taking a dump or farting was beautiful.


    I was in a trance for a short while before I pinched Brandon. "What''s the reason?"


    Brandon lowered his head and met my gaze. "Because I want you to be responsible for me."


    I was taken aback. "What do you mean?"


    "You kissed me before and stole my first kiss."


    Brandon''s words made me blush. Then, I denied it. "I don''t believe you. You''re spouting nonsense because I can''t remember anything."


    Brandon raised his head and looked at the


    horizon in the near distance. ¡°When you kissed me, I told you that a girl shouldn''t kiss anyone randomly, especially boys."


    He smiled


    didn''t know if he was


    laughing at me for being childisheet


    raised my hand a


    I


    the corners of his lips down."


    Don''t smile."

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    ?


    Brandon didn''t mind me pulling down the corners of his mouth and continued to say, "Do you know how. you said it?"All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    "I don''t know. Anyway, you''re just making things up." I didn''t want to admit that I had done so many embarrassing things.


    "You said that it was a stamp. Since you kissed and stamped me, I was yours. When you grew up,


    you''d get married to me. You told me not to marry anyone else too," said Brandon before lowering his head.


    "Mae, I listened to you and didn''t date anyone or like other women. I didn''t even hold hands with other women before.


    "I waited for you without wavering. So, you need to be responsible for me.""


    When Brandon said that, he sounded pitiful. It was as if I had to feel sorry for him if I said no:


    I always thought that Chris was my childhood friend. only realized now that I was wrong. Brandon was my real childhood friend.


    The time was short, but it affected his life. It was just that I was too young at that time. So, only he remembered all the beautiful moments. ¡°Alright. I''ll take responsibility for it." I raised my head and stood on tip-toes to bite his sexy jawline.


    Brandon hummed in response. With a smile, I said, "Let me stamp a deeper one this time so that the women who like you will avoid you."


    He chuckled lightly. "You''re just as overbearing now as you were when you were young."


    Was I overbearing? For the past few years, I thought that I had been too soft, especially in front of the Gildon family and Chris. Unless it was a matter Brandonpletely recreated my childhood for me. Although I didn''t know what was real or fake, I was very happy. He took me fishing, and we caugh


    "I''ll make grilled fish for you tonight.


    You liked to eat fish the most when you were young." Brandon suddenly blurted this out so that I would think what he said earlier was true and that he didn''t lie to me. Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    It was because I loved to eat fish and grilled fish, especially the fish my mom made. It was extremely delicious.


    The day something happened to them, my mom said that she wanted to grill fish for me that night. 1 couldn''t wait for them toe back.


    Ever since then, I stopped eating grilled fish. So, Zack, Bree, and even Chris and Conrad thought I didn''t like to eat fish. However, Brandon knew that ''Alright! I agreed. At this moment, I had moved on.


    Grilled fish was a symbol of my mom''s love for me and my longing for her The fact that someone still remembered it now was probably because her spirit sent a reminder from heaven.


    The grilled fish Brandon made tasted exactly like the one my mom used to make. It was perfectly seasoned.


    He told me that the taste was simr because my mom learned how to cook the fish from his mom. Hist mom lived by ake when she was young, so she ate fish often and


    knew how to cook the fish the best.


    It had been ten years since I lost my mom. Now, my mom''s love for me had been inherited by Brandon. After eating and washing the dishes, Brandon


    I sat on the couch and yed with my phone while he dealt with some work on hisptop. He was focused, but I was restless.


    I didn''t know why I felt like that. It was as if countless ants were crawling in my heart. I couldn''t even focus on fiddling with my phone.


    "I''m a bit sleepy." In the end, I made up an excuse to make Brandon leave.


    He put down theptop and said, "I''m a bit sleepy too.


    I responded, ¡°You should go back then."


    Brandon didn''t answer or move. He only stared at me, his gaze making my heart race. "Brandon..." "Can I not leave tonight?"

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    ?


    I was stunned. I didn''t expect Brandon to be so straightforward. I was once again sure that he was not only hard but also very straightforward.


    With my heart beating even quicker than ever, I asked without thinking, "Why don''t you want to leave?"


    Brandon gulped and said, "I don''t want to be separated from you."


    There was nothing wrong with that reason. Most people who were in love liked to stick to their partner. They wished they could be together 24/7. "I''m not as casual as you think I am," I suddenly said.


    Brandon''s expression stiffened. Then, his ears turned red. The way his ears turned red quickly didn''t match how straightforward he was with his words


    "I don''t mean that. I j-just want to stay back and apany you," exined Brandon.


    I pursed my lips. Upon seeing him in this state, I wanted to tease him again.


    "Are you saying that you want to


    stay back because you want to apany me? We will sleep together, but we will only be in the nket and just have a chat?¡±


    Brandon cleared his throat and responded, "Something like that."


    "Can you assure that?" I spoke without thinking again. However, the questions asked were all substantive.


    Brandon answered, "You''ll find out if you give it a try."


    I was at a loss for words. Let''s give it a try then. Besides, didn''t I want to test if he had that kind thoughts toward me?


    "I''ll go back to my house and get my stuff to wash up. You won''t lock the door, right?" Brandon was really straightforward.


    I pretended to be bold as I looked at him. "As long as you dare toe."


    Brandon smiled. "I will."


    While he went to take his stuff, I panted in the bathroom. I asked myself if I really wanted to give myself to him.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    "She made the first move, so I''m not interested in her."


    What Chris said in the past rang in my mind. These words were like needles pricking me every time I thought about them. It made me doubt myself.


    I wondered if I wasn''t charming because I couldn''t even make a man want to sleep with me.


    Upon thinking of that, I changed into a set of sexy, ck pajamas. That night, I wanted to make a man go crazy for me.


    At that thought, I pulled the door and went out. Brandon had alreadye over and had changed into his pajamas. When our gazes met, I knew that


    I wanted to walk over to him confidently, but my knees went weak. At this time, Brandon walked over


    and gulped. Without saying anything, he picked me up and carried me bridal-style


    I grabbed the cloth covering his chest subconsciously. When I was close to him, I could smell the scent of soap on his body.


    Chaute 266


    The scent was different from Chris''.


    Brandon''s one was the most


    common kind in the market. On the other hand, Chris used a high-end handmade soap. The soap scent was simr to a body wash, Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    Brandon''s soap scent was more approachable and had a stronger fragrance. It was enticing. In addition to that, the sudden feeling of emptiness from


    While Brandon carried me into the bedroom, with every step he took, I was restless. I could only tighten my grip on him.


    "Why are you carrying me? I can walk.¡± Immediately after saying that, I realized that I was ruining the mood. How could I say such a thing at this mom


    "I was afraid that you''d escape if your knees went weak Brandon knew me so well.


    I buried my face in his embrace and stubbornly said, "If I wanted to escape, I wouldn''t have let youe."


    "I see. It seems that I have misunderstood." Brandon responded to everything I said.


    I blushed even more. With me in his


    arms, Brandon arrived at the


    bedroom. He walked over to the side of the bed and put me down. However, he didn''t get up. Instead, he gazed at me deeply.

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    I felt like my whole body was on fire. It was as if I had a fever. I recalled scenes from thest time I teased him and remembered what Lisa had said as


    "Brandon, have you ever slept with another woman?" Even though he had said he never had a girlfriend, I decided to ask again just to be sure. Brandon''s gaze deepened. "No."


    That word made my heart tremble. "Do you want to?"


    His jaw tightened, and the next moment, my vision became dark as I felt the overwhelming sensation of his lips pressing against mine. By the time he But instead of continuing, he pressed his forehead against mine and said, "How long are you going to test me? Or do you just want to torture me?" Seeing his suppressed desire and the way he clearly wanted me but was fighting to hold back, I cupped his face. "Do you really want this? Is this desi As I asked these questions, I was once again reminded of how deeply Chris'' casual words had hurt me when he said he wasn''t interested in me. "Yes," Brandon breathed heavily, "only for you."


    Upon hearing this, I closed my eyes and felt that something in my heart had let go.


    "Made.." Brandon''s voice calling my name was cut off by my kiss. This time, I pulled him closer.


    "Should we wait a little longer?" Brandon asked at the veryst moment, restraining himself.


    "Wait for what?" My voice was trembling.


    "When we get married," Brandon''s gaze was intense.


    I looked at him and said, "Even if we get married, if you''re not sincere, you''ll still betray me."


    "I won''t," he kissed the tip of my nose lightly. "I''ll never betray you, Mae."


    He made a promise, but I no longer believed in promises. Chris had made promises to me too, but in the end, he still got involved with someone else.


    In reality, more people got divorced each day than married, so promises were the least reliable thing in the world.


    Today, I wanted to connect with Brandon simply because of my feelings for him. I would let nature take its course so that I wouldn''t be disappointed even if we were not together in the future.


    There was a saying that the greatest pain came from expecting too much and receiving too little in return. So, if one didn''t expect anything, one would


    "But I can''t promise that I won''t betray you," I said, sounding like a heartless woman,


    Brandon was slightly stunned. So, I gave him a small smile and said, "Brandon, if you''re afraid or want to back out, now''s your chance."


    "I don''t want to. If it reallyes to that someday, it''ll be my fault for not being able to keep you by my side." He murmured against my lips.


    My heart ached. Brandon, oh Brandon, you really knew how to hit me where it hurt the most.


    2/2Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    When I broke up with Chris, I had the same thought. Perhaps it was partly my fault too that I wasn''t goode enough, which made him fall for someone else.


    I kissed Brandon again, and this time, I pulled off his shirt...


    It was a long night. It wasn''t until dawn that I finally fell asleep in the fresh sheets that Brandon hadid out for me.


    But even that didn''t stop me from dreaming about Chris. He was covered in blood, standing in front of me and calling my name. "Madeline..."


    In the dream, I was asleep, but his voice woke me up. When I opened my eyes and saw him covered in blood, I panicked.


    ¡°Chris, what happened to you? Why are you covered in so much blood?"


    "Madeline, will you feel sad if I die?"


    "Chris, why would you die? What''s wrong with you?


    "Chris, say something...


    "Chris! Chris!"


    ¡°Mae, wake up. Madeline, open your eyes...." I was woken by Brandon''s anxious voice.


    When I opened my eyes and saw his worried face, all could see was the bloody image of Chris from my dream.

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    ?


    What happened to Chris? Why was he covered in blood? Was he injured? Dreams like this usually meant something


    The night before my parents'' car ident, I had a bad dream too. I dreamed that my two front teeth fell out and bled profusely, and I woke up crying in forever.


    I felt a wave of panic, and I even forgot the way Brandon was looking at me. It wasn''t until his hand touched my forehead and gently wiped away the c "Did you have a nightmare?"


    His voice brought me back to reality, and I realized he must have heard me calling out for Chris in my dream.


    Not wanting him to misunderstand, I exined, "I dreamed of Chris standing at the foot of the bed, covered in blood. I asked him what was wrong, but "Don''t worry, dreams are often the opposite of reality. If you''re concerned, you can call him to check." Brandon unexpectedly suggested that I call Chris Shouldn''t he be jealous in this situation? If it were Chris, he would definitely be jealous.


    I looked outside and saw the sky was


    getting bright. So, I snuggled into Brandon''s arms and closed my tired eyes. "I''m sleepy. I want to sleep a bit more."


    "Sure." Brandon stroked my head with hisrge hand. His tenderness toward me was just as usual, showing no signs of anger or jealousy.


    But I was too exhausted and soon fell asleep again without thinking about anything. In my daze, I felt Brandon kissing my forehead and heard his low


    "You''re still worried about him."


    I wanted to say something, but my mouth wouldn''t move. When I woke up, it was already 9:00a.m. I knew I was going to bete for work. I noticed tha My body ached as if it had been taken apart and put back together. It seemed that there was some truth. in what was written in novels.


    Lying in bed, my mind shed back to the passionate night with Brandon, the dream I had in the middle of the night, and Brandon''s words.


    I closed my eyes, unable to believe that Chris woulde and disturb my-first sweet night with Brandon.


    But the scene of him covered in blood in the dream was quite frightening. I just couldn''t shake off the uneasy feeling.N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    Even though Chris and I no longer


    had romantic feelings for each other, the bond we shared over ten years had turned into familial affection. I picked up my phone and made a call, but not to Chris


    Conrad. Content belongs


    ton


    called


    Since he confessed to me and I turned him down, he had been very considerate and didn''t bother me anymore. He was so understanding that it made me feel guilty. But still wanted to make sure that Chris was okay.


    UMS


    "Maddie," Conrad''s gentle voice came from the other end of the line.


    ¡°Conrad,¡± I called out: "How have you beentely?"


    "I''m good. What''s up?" His voice was light and cheerful


    I felt relieved upon hearing that. If something had happened to Chris, he wouldn''t be talking like this.


    "It''s nothing. I just wanted to ask when the amusement park is scheduled to open?" I quickly thought of an excuse.


    If he thought about it carefully, he would know I was just making an excuse. If I had really wanted to know about the amusement park, I could have jus


    "Chris hasn''t set a date," Conrad replied truthfully.


    I was a bit surprised. Before the lighting issue, the opening date of the amusement park had already been set, which was why I was so eager to get it fixed when the problem was discovered.


    Now that everything was fixed, it should open as scheduled -


    just a week from now. But hearing Conrad say this made it seem like the opening was still uncertain.


    Usually, there would be a lot of preparation work before an opening, including promotions. But I haven''t seen any advertisements yet. "Is there a problem?" I was still concerned about the project.


    "No, there''s no problem." Being the person in charge of the amusement park project, Conrad was certainly in a position to say that.

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    ?


    Since there was no problem with the amusement park itself, the problem had to be with Chris.


    Thinking about the scene in my dream and the reason I made this call, I asked Conrad, "Did something happen to Chris?"


    Conrad didn''t reply immediately. He said after a pause, "If you really want to know, you can ask him yourself."


    So, it seemed that he was not really foolish. But his words left me at a loss of words.


    Conrad was someone who would never make me feel awkward, so he quickly smoothed things over by saying, "What I mean is, even though you''re n


    "Hmm," I chuckled softly. "I just didn''t want to make his current girlfriend jealous."


    Conradughed too.


    "Maddie, when you''re free, let''s have a meal together," he suggested. Since he had just mentioned that we were like family now, I didn''t refuse.


    I sighed in relief after hanging up. It seemed that nothing had


    happened to Chris. But it was strange that I had that dream. Could it be because of what he asked me yesterday about whether I would be heartbroke


    Our ten years together were deeply ingrained in me. It wasn''t something that I could just let go of even if ! wanted to. But Brandon and I had already st rtionship. Chris could only be a part of my past.


    I put down my phone and was about to get out of bed when a message from Brandon popped up.


    "Are you awake?"


    I didn''t reply, but another message came in. "I made breakfast and left it on the table. Remember to eat it and don''te to the office today."


    Huh? He was new, yet he was speaking like a boss already. But then I thought about his three million annual sry. That was enough to prove that he


    If he requested a day off for me, Xander would naturally agree. But this whole situation felt awkward and made me ufortable.


    Even though he was my boyfriend, he didn''t have the right to interfere with my personal life, especially my work.


    But I knew he was just concerned about me, so I just replied with a single, ¡°Okay.¡±


    Even though Brandon said I didn''t


    need to go to work, I still went to the office after washing up and having breakfast. My legs were sore as if I


    had


    climbed a mountain. Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    "Huh, what are you doing here? Didn''t you take the day off? Xander ran into me with a cup of coffee in hand.


    "When did I say that?" I shot back, leaving him speechless.


    Xander was stunned for a few seconds before he awkwardly chuckled. "It must have been my mistake."


    He really knew how to put on an act. And he was doing it to protect Brandon. Didn''t they just get to know each other?


    ¡°Go on then. Get to work," Xander said while he started walking away.


    "Mr. Roulder," I called out. "Did you know Brandon before?"


    "Before?" He blinked. ¡°Does before today count?"


    Upon hearing this, I knew he was dodging the question. So, I just smiled mockingly. "Forget what I


    asked." Then, I headed toward met


    office. As soon as I stepped in, colleague informed me, ''Boss, you''re here. A client is waiting for you in the meeting room. They said you had an appointment with them."


    That was definitely not true. I frowned and asked, "Are you sure they''re looking for me? How long have they been here?"


    "Yes. They specifically asked for you. They''ve been waiting for almost an hour."


    Now I was genuinely curious and puzzled. So, I put down my bag and went to the meeting room. When I pushed open the door and saw who was sitting there, the blood rushed tomy head. All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.

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    "Hi, Madeline!" Yerrick greeted me with a cheeky smile and waved at me.


    "I''ve been waiting for you for almost an hour. You''rete today," Yerrick continued, shaking the watch on


    his wrist at me..


    I did my best to suppress my anger and walked over. wore t shoes today instead of high heels due to my sore legs.


    ¡°Madeline, are you feeling unwell today?" The brat had sharp eyes and noticed something was off with me.


    My confident stride faltered slightly out of guilt. I couldn''t respond to hisment. So, I just sat down before him, trying to appear assertive. "Just spit


    He ignored my question and instead asked, "Didn''t sleep wellst night?"


    It was like he knew something. Each of his questions was getting more direct.


    I stiffened up, trying to regain myposure. "Just say it if you have something to say. If not, get out or I''ll call the police and sue you for harassment.'' Yerrick chuckled. "Still holding a grudge, huh?"


    "Cut the crap. What exactly do you want?" I said, pulling out my phone.


    "I want to pursue you, Madeline." Yerrick grinned, his smile as bright as a flower.


    I didn''t show any signs of anger as I knew it was fake. But his intent to provoke me was real. If I got angry. I would just be giving him what he wanted. "Aren''t you underage? If you want to pursue me, have your parentse talk to me," I replied, using a teacher-like tone.


    "Madeline, are you


    free this weekend?" Yerrick suddenly asked. I ignored him, so he leaned forward. "It''s my birthday this weekend. I''ll be an adult then. So, can you Looking at his bitchy face, I just had one thought in mind-he was thinking too highly of himself.


    I pouted and decided not to waste more time on him, "Yerrick, I don''t care what your intentions are for harassing me, but you better back off now. Don'' As I said this, I tapped my phone while ncing at his limited-


    edition shoes and his overall outfit. It waspletely different from the first time I saw him when he falsely used me. It seemed that he was benefit "I bet your sister doesn''t know you''re here, right? Or your new brother-inw. Am I right?¡±


    Yerrick snorted. "Don''t try to scare me by bringing them up."


    Seeing him act all high and mighty, I


    chuckled. "If you want to keep enjoying your current lifestyle, you better stay away from me. Otherwise, you can forget about branded outfits-you might not even


    be


    able to afford flowers." Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    I wasn''t trying to insult him, but rather to make him realize who he really was behind his current bravado.


    Chris and I were no longer together. He was now with Yerrick''s sister. But there was no way Chris would allow his ex to be his current brother- inw''s girlfriend.


    As expected, Yerrick''s face turned incredibly sour, and he stood up quickly. "Don''t look down on me. I


    2 Chapter 270


    bought all of this with my own money. I didn''t use a cent from that Gildon quy."


    Really? But I remembered Jewel couldn''t even afford a meal before. It seemed that at least one of the siblings was lying. But they shared amon narcissism.


    Jewel used Chris'' money to keep up


    with appearances, while Yerrick unted his branded outfits despite hisck of family background. As for whether he really didn''t use Chris'' money, only he knew the truth. Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    I stood up and said, "Then you''re still considered a man."


    "Of course, I''m a..." Yerrick started to retort, but he was cut off by a knock on the door.


    I nced over and saw Brandon. It made my heart skip a beat. Why was he here? Did hee to start a fight? If that was the case, things could get u


    I was starting to get nervous, thinking about how to stop Brandon from getting involved. Then, I heard him coldly ask in a low voice, "Ms. Crown, do yo bought all of this with my own money. I didn''t use a cent from that Gildon guy."


    Really? But I remembered Jewel couldn''t even afford a meal before. It seemed that at least one of the siblings was lying. But they shared amon t narcissism.


    Jewel used Chris'' money to keep up


    with appearances, while Yerrick unted his branded outfits despite hisck of family background. As for whether he really didn''t use Chris'' money, only he knew the truth.


    I stood up and said, ¡°Then you''re still considered a man.¡±


    "Of course, I''m a..." Yerrick started to retort, but he was cut off by a knock on the door.


    I nced over and saw Brandon. It made my heart skip a beat. Why was he here? Did hee to start a fight? If that was the case, things could get


    I was starting to get nervous, thinking about how to stop Brandon from getting involved. Then, I heard him coldly ask in a low voice, "Ms. Crown, do yo

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    I secretly breathed a sigh of relief at Brandon''s words. At least he didn''t act impulsively and asked me


    - instead.


    ¡°Yes. Bran.......¡± I paused. I didn''t know his exact position at thepany, but with his skills, I thought he was definitely an engineer.


    "Mr. Howell, please help me show our guest out." With that, I turned to leave.


    Yerrick didn''t hold back despite Brandon''s arrival and continued to tease me. "Madeline, I''ll be waiting for you this weekend. Your gift will be the one I''


    But before he could continue, Brandon had already stepped in and cut him off. "You may leave now."


    Yerrick ignored him and continued to provoke me. "Madeline, I''ll wait for you and go for lunch together."


    I stopped and turned around, about to explode on him. But I didn''t need to as Brandon''s cold and stern voicemanded, "Get out."


    "Who do you think you are? Why should I leave just because you say so?" Yerrick retorted fearlessly and arrogantly.


    "I''m forbidding you to pursue her," Brandon said, each word clear and forceful.


    I looked at his intimidating face. This was the first time I had seen this side of him, and it made my heart tighten.


    Yerrick was stunned for a few seconds before resuming his cheeky demeanor. "Old man, are you pursuing Madeline too?"


    What? Now it was my turn to be shocked. Yerrick was really digging his own grave. He actually called Brandon an old man. He was clearly insulting ar


    I nced at Brandon while secretly breaking out into a cold sweat. I didn''t know how men reacted to being called old, but I knew women definitely wou


    But Yerrick didn''t seem to notice the


    chill emanating from Brandon and continued, "Old man, at your age, why are you still going after younger women? Although you might still have the desire, I doubt that you have the strength." Content belongs


    to NovelDrama.Org


    As he spoke, he even wiggled his hips, implying the meaning of strength he was referring to, I instantly understood.


    shes of Brandon''s vigor fromst


    night crossed my mind, and I


    el


    swallowed nervously. I could confidently say that Brandon was definitely more powerful than this


    little brat Yerrick. Content belongs to


    Brandon took a step forward. "Well, that is none of your concern. You have two choices. Either you leave on your own, or I throw you out."


    "Heh, you..." Yerrick started to say something but was cut off by his own cries of pain at the next moment.


    Brandon had already grabbed him by the back of his neck and was dragging him out while Yerrick yelped in pain. A tough guy was indeed needed to d


    When Yerrick was thrown out, two


    security guards were already waiting for him realized then that Brandon hadn''t appeared in the meeting room by chance. He hade specifically to deal with Yerrick.


    He was definitely boyfriend material, and I finally understood what it felt like. It felt pretty nice to be protected like this.


    But if he got popr on his first day at work, what was it going to be like in the future?


    I pursed my lips and moved closer to Brandon as Yerrick was escorted away by security. "Old man, you''re so manly."N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    Brandon''s Adam''s apple bobbed as he looked at me, his gaze making me feel uneasy. Oh no! Was he


    nning to do something to me right here?


    I turned to leave, but Brandon called out, "Ms. Crown, pleasee to my office."

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    Brandon''s tone was quite polite, but it sounded like an order from a superior to me, but I knew he wasn''t calling me for work-rted matters.


    Just yesterday he had questioned me about the flowers that a young guy sent, and now he had personally witnessed something again. Was he going At that moment, I realized that having a boyfriend was like looking for trouble


    for myself. If I hadn''t been involved with Brandon, I could have just brushed off Yerrick''s pursuit without any furtherplications.


    But now, I had to deal with Brandon too. No man was truly magnanimous after all.


    With all my


    all my colleagues watching, there was nothing I could say. I had no choice but to follow Brandon


    into his office.


    His o


    His office wasn''t far from mine. It was decorated simply but filled with various equipment. Besides the standard desk, chair, andputer, there were


    As I was looking around, I heard the door close behind me. My chest tightened slightly, and I turned to greet him formally.


    "Mr. Howell."


    Earlier, before entering his office, I noticed the que on the door-Chief Engineer. That title certainly matched his hefty sry.


    Brandon looked at me and asked, "Did you have breakfast?"


    His gaze was intense, and every time I made eye contact with him, my heart would race uncontrobly After what happenedst night, I felt even more conscious facing him directly.


    I wandered over to his equipment, examining it as I replied, "I did.¡±


    "Didn''t I tell you to rest today? Why did youe to work?" Brandon''s question made me freeze.


    I looked at him and said, ¡°Mr. Howell, you''re overstepping your boundaries."


    His jaw tightened slightly, but I pressed my lips together and continued, We''re together now, but that doesn''t mean you can interfere in my life, especially my work, even if you''re doing it for my own good." He opened his mouth to say something but then closed it. "I understand. It won''t happen again."


    His attitude was good. So, I didn''t want to push further. I nced around his office and remarked, "You''ve got quite the impressive setup here."


    He didn''t respond. Since it was


    working hours, I didn''t want to say anything else. I gave him a slight smile and said, "Well, I''ll let you get back to work. I''ll go back to my office.


    "M?e, Brandon called out to me.


    "Mr. Howell," I replied, matching his tone. "At thepany, let''s interact as colleagues. Also... I don''t want others to know about our rtionship."


    Brandon frowned, so I quickly


    exined, "Don''t take it the wrong way. I don''t want people to know


    because don''t want them to get


    or affect our work. It''s not that you''re or affect


    someone I''m ashamed of, nor do I


    have any intentions toward other


    men." Content belongs to


    I was very clear, addressing any potential misunderstandings he might have had.


    "Alright!" He agreed without hesitation.


    "Okay then. I''ll leave you to it," I said as I turned to leave.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    However, Brandon stopped me again, "What did you call me earlier?"


    Huh? I paused before recalling the teasing tone I used when Yerrick was being escorted out.


    ¡°Uh, that..... I was just joking." I exined.


    "Do you think I''m old too?" Brandon asked, catching me off guard again,


    I didn''t mean that at all! I had only jokingly called him an old man, but he took it the wrong way. It seemed like even tough guyscked a sense of hum


    I shook my head and smiled slightly. "No, you''re not old. Not at all.¡±


    "Tell me the truth!" Brandon demanded in a stern tone, noticing my smile.

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    Chapter 273 Upon


    seeing his serious expression, I looked at his face intently. He was mature,posed, and handsome.


    A man his age couldn''t bepared to a young guy ke Yerrick. The term old man was apliment, suggesting his mature charm.


    Wasn''t the old manplex all the rage now? All women, young or married, and even girls liked mature like Brandon.


    However, since he was so sensitive, he didn''t realize how valuable that title was. someone


    I took a step closer to him. "The truth is, you''re already in your 30s, so you''re not exactly young anymore. Especiallypared to that brat earlier, who calling you an old man. Plus..."


    "Do you think I''m old too?" Brandon interrupted me before I could finish. His mood seemed to have dropped, and he looked upset.


    Wow! I didn''t


    expect him to be so touchy and petty about his age. I had to continue exining myself. What I mean is that you''re not that young anymore, but I didn Before I could finish my sentence, Brandon cut me off again, ¡°Anyone can say I''m old, but not you.¡±


    I was speechless. Seeing him so upset and frustrated, Iughed suddenly. "Brandon, are you being Insecure and afraid that I''ll think you''re old? Or do Brandon didn''t say anything. He was just sulking in silence, which was rather amusing. I couldn''t help but reach up to touch his face.


    "Come on. Don''t worry. I don''t mind that. In fact, I''m drawn to your maturity. Otherwise, why would I turn down that brat earlier? He''s as fresh as they Brandon still didn''t respond, so I kept touching his face.


    It was the first time I realized that older men could be so hard to cheer up. He was so different from Chris. Whenever. I made a mistake, all I had to do


    But Brandon, on the other hand, was like a stubborn child, not easy to please at all. So, I decided to go all out. I stood on my tiptoes and gave him a q "Is that better?"N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    I


    Without wanting for a reply, I turned


    to I an


    around my waist as Brandon me back. Content belongs to


    But I suddenly felt an a


    His strength reminded me ofst night when he held me tightly while we moved together. I felt my throat going dry.


    Bran


    "Ms. Crown, didn''t you say we should interact as colleagues at work? Why are you getting so touchy-feely with me?"


    He... He was clearly taking advantage of the situation while pretending to be innocent.


    1 could see through his


    cunningness. He was just acting


    clueless in front of me. When Yerrick taunted him about being weak, he responded in a way that showed he understood that meaning


    swn ectly


    well. Content belongs to


    This guy was just ying dumb to gain the upper hand. Now that he had gotten what he wanted, what more could I say?


    I huffed at him. "Brandon, cut it out."


    He didn''t say more, so I turned to leave.


    "Let''s have lunch together," he called out as I was stepping out the door.


    I didn''t respond, but as soon as I stepped out, I bumped into Xander He was smiling broadly at me, Ms. Crown, you''re really popr, aren''t you?"


    UMS


    "Ms. Crown, let''s have lunch together. We should celebrate Brandon joining the team," Xander invited me too.


    I was speechless.


    I couldn''t say anything. He was treating this chief engineer differently.


    "Mr. Roulder," I called out to Xander just as he was about to enter Brandon''s office.


    He stopped and smiled at me. "What can I do for you, Ms. Crown?"


    "When I joined thepany, I don''t recall you hosting a wee lunch for me."


    As soon as I finished speaking, I saw the corners of Xander''s mouth twitch.

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    ?


    I didn''t join Xander for lunch as I already had an appointment with Lisa.


    She said Keith hade to their hospital as a visiting professor and that she had already spoken to him. She wanted me to meet him to discuss the d "I''ll bring Brandon with me," I said. After all, it was about his sister, so it would be best if he heard everything firsthand. Plus, he should be the one to d "You shoulde alone. Besides, time is short. We''ll only have a short break to quickly discuss the situation," she exined.


    So, I went to the hospital alone with Ellie''s medical records. Lisa was waiting for me, and after ncing at the records, she led me to the lecture hall.


    On the way, she exined, "Keith is very busy. After his lecture, he has othermitments, so you might only have four or five minutes to talk."


    I couldn''t believe it. "That busy? Like the president?"


    Lisa chuckled at my joke and teased back, ¡°Pretty much. He''s an internationally renowned professor now. The fact that he''s here at our hospital might be our luck, or maybe one of the directors offered him something."


    I nced at her, sensing the hint of sadness in her tone. Lisa was a well-


    aplished doctor as well, but her achievements seemed insignificant in the eyes of Keith, whom she admired.


    This might be the reason for her crush all these years. Love was about being well-matched, and being seen as equals.N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    "Have you met him privately?" I asked, still curious.


    "No. He''s too busy. Besides, if I had, I wouldn''t be calling you to meet him now," Lisa said while nudging me. "I told you, he''s a big- shot professor with an assistant who manages his time."


    I got the message. It wasn''t because she didn''t want to, but she didn''t have the chance.


    "You have his personal contact, right? Why not give it a try?" I encouraged her.


    However, Lisa didn''t reply.


    Soon, we arrived at the lecture hall. The huge electronic screen disyed the words, "Wee Professor Keith Marrow, International Medical Expert, as a visiting professor."


    E


    When Lisa and I entered, the lecture hall was packed with people. There was a young and


    handsome man wearing rimless sses giving a lecture on stage. That had to be Keith.


    His words were clear and concise, and his voice was very pleasant, rivaling even that of TV news anchors. The whiteb coat he wore reflected the b


    Doctors were indeed like gods


    among us they healed and saved


    lives. He was such a striking and aplished man. It was no wonder that no one could rece


    him in Lisa''s heart. Content belongs


    to NovelDrama.Org


    The lecture hall was so full that people were standing along the aisles. Since Lisa and I arrivedte, there were no seats left. We could only stand at th


    I didn''t know if it was just my imagination, but as soon as Lisa and I entered, I noticed Keith nce in our direction.


    "He''s looking at you," I whispered to Lisa.


    "He''s looking at the audience. Don''t overthink it," she replied defensively.


    Keith''s lecturested for another hour. By the end, my back and legs were sore, but Lisa seemed unfazed.


    It was not surprising. She was a doctor who often stood for hours in surgery, sometimes even over ten hours. An hour like this was nothing to her. But I was struggling. I was not used to


    standing for long periods, and afterst night''s exhaustion, my legs were aching, my back was stiff, and I was feeling shaky


    I stretched my aching back and looked at Keith, who was surrounded by people not far away. "Your senior sure knows how to talk."


    After a pause, I added, "And he''s really good at it."

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    That was a genuinepliment. Even as an ordinary person, I could clearly understand everything. Through Keith''s lecture, I gained a deep apprecia


    wrong


    Lisa didn''t respond to myment. Instead, she noticed that something was off with me. "What''s w with you? You look worn out, like you''ve just done Her sharp observation skills as a gynecologist were spot on-she could tell something was off and even guessed the reason behind it.


    I pursed my lips and said, "I am a little exhausted."


    Lisa''s eyes widened. "You... Are you for real? With who?"


    The first part of her sentence was understandable, but thest two words were a bit shocking to me.


    I nced around to make sure no one else was nearby and bit my lip. "Lisa, who do you think it was?"


    She studied me for a few seconds. "Brandon?"


    I didn''t deny it. Lisa nodded and then shook her head "I never expected this. Chris was with you for ten years, yet he couldn''t beat Brandon- ater has taken the lead."


    I was left speechless by her remark.


    "What happened? Did you force yourself on him?" Lisa really overestimated me.


    I coughed lightly. "It was mutual."


    That made Lisaugh. She was clearly teasing me. I red at her and said, "What are youughing at? It really was mutual. I didn''t force anything."


    "That doesn''t matter. What matters is that you got to be with such a handsome and well-


    built man. No regrets," Lisa said, her words hitting the mark as always.


    "Dr. Carline, all these years you''ve ignored every man and had no


    interest in anyone. Is it because you think it would only be worth it to sleep with someone as excellent as Keith?" I teased her back. Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    Lisa didn''t deny it. ¡°Exactly. If you''re going to be with someone, it should be someone you like and someone outstanding."Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    "Your senior is indeed impressive. It would be a shame to miss out on him. You should tell him how you feel-


    you might just have a chance," I encouraged her.


    Lisa pouted and said, "There''s no way anything could happen between us. If I confess to him, there are only two possible oues." "What are they?"


    Lisa paused before she continued, "One is that we start dating and fall in love. The other is we can''t even be friends anymore."


    Iughed. "That''s true for every couple."


    Lisa shook her head lightly, a hint of


    self-mockery on her face. "For him


    and me, it would only be thetter. That''s why I''d rather not say


    je


    anything. I don''t want to lose him as


    a friend." Content belongs to


    Seeing her like this, I realized her crush on Keith ran much deeper than I had thought. It might even affect her future rtionships or choices in a partr


    Though I wanted to encourage her to take a bold step also knew that everyone had their own thoughts, and it was not my ce to interfere.


    I didn''t say anything more and instead looked over to where Keith was standing. To my surprise, he was no longer there.


    "Where''s your senior? Let''s go find him!" I nudged Lisa,


    She turned around, only to see Keith standing right behind us, still wearing his white coat.


    Lisa and I both tensed up, unsure how long he had been standing there or how much of our conversation he had overheard.


    Lisa was visibly nervous and even a bit embarrassed. She started tucking her hair behind her ear-


    a habit she had whenever she felt uneasy or embarrassed. She even forgot to greet him.


    At that moment, I became unusually outgoing immediately extended my hand to Keith and said, "Hello, Professor Marrow. I''m Madeline Crown, a friend of Lisa''s. Your lecture was absolutely brilliant."


    Keith briefly shook my hand before letting go quickly, his gaze settling on Lisa''s face. So, I nudged her, signaling her to say something.

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    ¡°Lisa, didn''t you have something you wanted to discuss with me?" Keith took the initiative to speak first.


    Lisa quickly adjusted herself. ¡°Keith, Madeline is the friend I mentioned before. The patient, Ellie Howell, who needs the surgery is her sister-inw." Oh! Lisa''s words directly linked me to Brandon. Keith nodded at me, and I immediately handed over Ellie''s medical records.


    He took them and flipped through them for about half a minute before nodding. "Tve reviewed her condition before, and it matches the records.N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    "The surgery can be done, and the sooner, the better. I''ve already applied for a heart donor. As soon as one bes avable, we can proceed with "You mean we should have Ellie admitted now to be ready for the transnt at any time?" Lisa responded professionally on my behalf.


    "Yes. The sooner, the better," Keith said, looking at Lisa.


    I couldn''t help but notice how tender and bright his gaze was. This didn''t seem like the would look at a junior. It was more like that gaze of someone in le way a a senior


    Could it be that Keith was also in love with Lisa? Did this mean it was not a one-


    sided love, but a mutual one? For some reason, that thought crossed my mind.


    "Doc... Professor Marrow," I almost called him doctor, but now he held a much higher position.


    "I''ll bring her within the next two days," I quickly agreed.


    Lisa added, "Thank you for your hard work, Keith."


    Keith looked at her with a faint smile on his face. He was about to say something when a graceful figure rat over.


    The woman was fair and beautiful, her white coat adding a touch of professional allure. Herrge curls made her seem like a living embodiment of a career woman.


    She stopped naturally beside Keith and said, "Keith, Director White is waiting for you over there. We should hurry."


    As she spoke, she looked at Keith as if no one else existed. Her gaze was filled with love. It was so obvious that anyone could see it.


    At that moment, I seemed to


    understand why Lisa kept her feelings hidden. This woman loved Keith and had always been by his side. She was not only excellent but also arade who was his equal.


    No matter how it looked, this woman seemed to be the perfect match for Keith. Lisa''s retreat was not just out of difficulty but also a way to preserve he


    Although true love could ovee


    great obstacles, I knew that such an ag love was exhausting, and unlikely tost. I was an example of someone who had experienced that.


    "Lisa, sorry for the interruption," the woman finally acknowledged Lisa.


    Lisa smiled faintly and said, "Emily, you should go ahead with Keith."


    After that, Lisa linked arms with me and was about to leave when Keith called out to her. "Lisa, are you free tonight?"


    My heart skipped a beat at that question. I could also feel Lisa''s grip on my arm tighten slightly.


    I looked at her and saw that her nose was already dotted with tiny beads of sweat. This woman was. nervous and excited.


    She didn''t dare to take that step, but now Keith was taking it for her-it was perfect.


    Just when I thought Lisa would definitely say yes, she calmly asked, "Is there anything you need, Keith?"


    What an unnecessary question! I secretly pinched her while keeping an eye on the woman standing beside Keith.


    Her expression had stiffened slightly, and her hands, which were hanging by her sides, had curled into fists. Her beautiful eyes were watching Lisa wi


    I nced at her name tag-Professor Emily Hansley.

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    "No. Nothing in particr. I just wanted to have dinner with you," Keith said directly.


    Lisa seemed taken aback and didn''t respond immediately. Just when I thought this silly woman would say something coy and reject him, she simply re Yes! My best friend was not as clueless as I thought. She didn''t push away the handsome man who came her way.


    I silently gave Lisa a thumbs up and even started to imagine what kind of wonderful night she might have with her longtime crush. But then, Emily sud "It''s been a long time since the three of us got together after graduation. We should really catch up.''


    Huh? Now that was the most proactive light bulb I had ever seen. As someone who had been in a simr situation, I knew exactly what Emily was doin she was trying to prevent Keith and Lisa from being alone together.


    Lisa, who rarely showed such courage, had finally stepped up, only for Emily to jump in. I wasn''t about to let this slide, but before I could say anything. "Emily, I have some other things to discuss with Keith.


    1 was stunned. Lisa was really holding her ground, not letting anyone steal this opportunity away from her.


    However, Emily didn''t falter. Instead, she


    smiled faintly and said, "I know you need to discuss the surgery for your friend''s family. You might not be aware, but I''m also involved in this surgery ar She wasn''t giving up, and she was even using her role in Ellie''s surgery to make it hard for Lisa to refuse. Lisa opened her mouth, but before she coul That statement made my eyes widen in surprise, and I thought to myself, "Emily''s KO-ed."


    Nothing could have been a more perfect knockout than Keith''s words.


    Emily''s beautiful face froze, and her smile had be restrained. Then, she reluctantly shoved her hands into her coat''s pockets and said, "If it''s pers After that, she looked at Keith. "We should head over now. It''s not right to keep the hospital administration waiting."


    Keith nodded at Lisa and me, but as he left, his gaze lingered on Lisa.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    At that moment, I was absolutely certain that Keith had feelings for Lisa. Not only did he directly reject his rumored partner, but the way he looked at Lisa wasn''t ordinary.was already screaming internally on Lisa''s behalf.


    After Keith and Emily left, I hugged Lisa and whispered in her ear, "Your crush just extended an olive branch- you two are heading toward each other."


    "No way, Lisa responded shyly, stillcking confidence.


    Keith just rejected Emily for you, and you''re still unsure?" I asked.


    Lisa bit her lip slightly. "Actually, I just want to find someone who can love me forever, and you know how


    I avoid socializing andpeting with others, so.."


    I understood what she was trying to say-she didn''t want topete with Emily for a man.


    I interrupted her, ¡°So, you''re nning to throw away the opportunity that''s right in front of you? Lisa, if your do that, I''ll lose all my respect for you."


    Lisa sighed and said, "A love where you have to constantlypete with others and always be on guard is exhausting. I''m afraid I won''t be able to ha


    "Dr. Carline, have you forgotten the advice you once gave me? Don''t stress about things that haven''t happened.


    "How do you know if, after you really get together with Keith, he wouldn''t draw adine with Emily and spare you from all thepetition you''re imagining?" I tapped her on the forehead with my finger. Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    People said those involved usually couldn''t see the situation clearly, and that was absolutely true in this situation.


    Lisa dodged my finger and said,


    "We''re imagining things too


    perfectly. Maybe Keith asked me out


    not because he wanted to start a


    rtionship with me, but to


    el


    discourage my feelings for him because he overheard us." Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org

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    "What are you thinking? I''m sure Keith likes you," I said with certainty.


    Keith''s gaze at Lisa was full of affection, but right now, she was unconfident.


    I wouldn''t me her though. After all, she had a crush on Keith for so many years without ever confessing because


    she thought he was too outstanding.


    This showed her insecurity. Perhaps only Keith''s direct response could heal her. As an outsider, there was no way I could make her understand this, so I didn''t want to waste time convincing her.


    "I''m heading back. Tonight, make sure you dress up nicely and get ready for your date. Also, make sure to switch your shifts ahead of time. No matter


    I nagged her like I was her mom. Sheughed, echoing my sentiment.


    "Even my mom doesn''t worry this much." That was because her mom didn''t know about her crush.


    "Good luck, Liz," I said, giving her a fist bump as encouragement. "I''m leaving now."


    "Wait! Don''t go yet. Come with me to the office," Lisa demanded, holding me back.


    "Why? I need to get back and discuss Brandon''s sister''s matter,¡± I reminded her.


    L¨ªsa held onto me, saying, "This won''t take long."


    Not knowing what she was up to, I followed her into the office where she pulled out a tube of ointment from a drawer and handed it to me. "What''s this?" I asked, examining it.


    Before I could figure out what it was, Lisa had already started exining how to use it. "When you get home, clean yourself down there and apply this.


    I instantly realized what the ointment was for. Even though she was my best friend who had seen me naked in the bath, it still made me blush.


    My mouth moved to protest, "I don''t need this."


    "Stop p


    pretending. It''s obvious," Lisa gave me a knowing, professional look.


    I fidgeted with the tube in my hand. "Is it really that serious?"


    *Absolutely! Especially for the first time. It''s easy to get tears, bleeding, or even inmmation. If you''re not careful, it could lead to


    gynecological issues. In severe


    cases, even damaging the uterus and affecting your fertility," Lisa said ina tone that sounded exactly like a doctor talking to a patient.


    I cleared my throat awkwardly. "Doctors sure know how to scare people."


    "I''m only looking out for you," Lisa replied and nodded at the examination table. "Go lie down. I''ll give you a quick checkup."


    My eyes widened and I took a step back. "Thanks, but no thanks."


    I quickly made my escape, with Lisa calling after me, "Don''t forget to use the ointment. If you feel ufortable,e see me."


    1 didn''t give her any response. Lisa''s words keep echoing in my ears, making me flustered and distracted.


    I wasn''t paying attention to where I was going until I bumped into someone.


    "I''m sorry..." I immediately apologized, but when I looked up, I froze.


    Chris was holding onto me. He had grabbed me when bumped into him. Now, he was staring at my face and asked, "Are you not feeling well?" "No." I replied while trying to pull my arm out of his grasp.


    But Chris didn''t let go. Instead, he lifted his other hand and ced it on my forehead. My face had turned red, probably from the things Lisa had just said, but Chris assumed I was having a fever.


    Whenever was down with a fever in the past, he would always check my forehead andpare it to his own. He was doing exactly the same thing now. Was it out of habit?


    "I''m not running a fever," I said, taking a step back to avoid his hand.N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    Chris frowned slightly. "Then why are you..."


    "I''m just feeling hot," I quickly replied and pulled my arm away from him.


    His hand froze in midair for a moment before he lowered it. Then why are you here at the hospital?"


    "I came to see Lisa!"


    He responded with a simple, "Oh." Then, he continued to study my face before saying, "If you''re not feeling well, see a doctor. Don''t push yourself.''


    That was another phrase I was all too familiar with. He used to say it every time I got sick.

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    Chris'' words were onceforting, but now, they felt nothing more like Irony.


    "I know," I replied, pausing briefly before adding. "I''m not a child anymore."


    Chris understood the underlying meaning of my words and gave me a bitter smile. "I guess I just worry


    too much."


    I stayed silent, so he added, "Be careful when you walk Don''t get distracted."


    I nodded, but the image of the dream I hadst night of him covered in blood suddenly shed through my mind.


    Seeing him here now made my chest tight, so I instinctively asked, "What are you doing here?"


    His lips moved, but he didn''t answer.


    "Are you-" I wanted to ask if he was unwell, but before I could finish, a voice calling out to him cut me off. "Chris, hurry up!" It was Jewel.


    Chris tall figure blocked my view, so I couldn''t see her, but I recognized her voice. At that moment, I realized why he was at the hospital. It wasn''t beca unwell, but because he was with Jewel.


    1 didn''t even need to ask why they were there. It was probably for a prenatal checkup. Here I was, foolishly worrying about him because of a silly drea


    Chris'' face stiffened at Jewel''s call. So, 1 smirked sarcastically. "Mr. Gildon, please go ahead if you''re busy.


    With that, I turned and walked away. But as soon as I got into my car, my phone buzzed twice. Someone had sent me a message.


    I opened it and saw a text from Jewel. "Madeline, since you and Chris are no longer together, I hope you can keep your distance from him,"


    Seeing her message made my anger re up. I immediately replied, "If you''re so worried, why don''t you tie him to you? Who do you think you are to te


    After sending the message, I deleted


    her number. Then, I took a deep breath and drove back to the office But Brandon wasn''t there, nor was Xander They were probably still having too much fun at the wee party and decided not toe back to work. Content belongs to


    Ellie''s situation wasn''t that urgent, so I didn''t call Brandon. However, before work ended, Brandon called me to ask where I was.


    ¡°At the office, working." I replied with a slight edge in my words. After all, it was his first day at work, but he was already skipping the afternoon.


    "I''m out with Mr. Roulder for work. I might be backte, maybe around seven. You should head home first If you''re hungry, grab something light. cook for you when I get back Brandon said, always mindful of keeping me fed. Content belongs


    to NovelDrama.Org


    So, it turned out that he was busy with work and not doing what I had assumed. This made me feel guilty for thinking the worst of him. "You don''t have to cook. I''ll grab something on my way home. You go ahead with your work, but when you''re done,e to my ce."


    I wanted to tell him about Ellie''s matter. Although it was good news, I hadn''t told Ellie about it because I wanted to get Brandon''s approval.


    "I understand," Brandon replied. I was about to hang up when he added, "I won''t keep you waiting for long."


    I was at a loss for words.


    n¨¦t


    True to his word, Brandon was back by seven. Remembering hisst words on the phone, I exined, wanted to talk to you about Ellie. She can have surgery now, and the application for a heart donor has been submitted."


    However, he didn''t seem surprised and just responded with a simple hum.


    This


    made me annoyed. He seemed indifferent after all my efforts in securing Professor Marrow, a top surgeon in the field. It was as if I was meddling in soN?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    I got upset and said, "What''s that supposed to mean, Brandon? If you don''t want..."


    But before I could finish, he was already in front of me and lifted me into his arms.


    "Brandon, you.... mm....


    He cut me off with a kiss and carried me to the bedroom while kissing me.

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    My nerves tightened


    Oh no, was Brandon thinking about doing it again?


    The desire for food and sex was natural. Once one had tasted it, it was hard to resist.


    It seemed that no matter the status, no one could escape this. It was just like in those fantasy dramas where even the most aloof gods would break the rules to fall in love.


    Love was truly the most fatal weakness given to humans by the heavens.


    As Brandon kissed me, hardly separating, my mind started to wander,


    It wasn''t until I felt a slight bite on my lip that I snapped back to reality. Brandon had already ced me on the bed, his body pressing down on mine. His eyes filled with a burning desire, and his Adam''s apple was moving seductively. His arms were half- propped on either side of me. The firmness of The sheer sensuality of the moment sent an indescribable sensation coursing through my body. It was tingling and electric, spreading from one point t I knew this feeling-I was aroused.


    The uncontroble desire was something I was beginning to understand.


    However, I was still a little apprehensive. After all, the difort from yesterday hadn''tpletely faded. If he tried again, I wasn''t sure I could handle If I really did end up injured, infected, or sick, like Lisa warned, it might affect my ability to have children in the future. That would be... bad. So, I needed to control myself.


    My rationality won over the sensation. Just as I


    was thinking of how to turn him down, Brandon suddenly leaned down again, his cheek brushing against mine as his lips grazed my face, hair, and ea "Thank you, Mrs. Howell," he whispered hoarsely.


    This thank you


    was for the effort I had put in for Ellie''s surgery. Earlier, his reaction had been so indifferent that I thought he didn''t really want to have that surgery.


    "I thought you were upset," I said, feeling a little aggrieved as I hit him lightly.


    I wasn''t sure if my little punch hurt him, but his tense muscles did make my hand ache a little.


    "I''m both happy and grateful," Brandon replied, kissing the tip of my ear and gently sucking on it.


    A shiver shot through my body, making my toes curl.


    Brandon seemed to notice my reaction as he pressed his body closer. His kisses started to wander from my ear to my hairline, cheeks, the tip of my nose, eyes, forehead, and finally, back to my lips


    This was...


    It was truly and maddeningly seductive.


    It slowly eroded my rationality, and I arched my body toward him as lo wrapped my arms around his neck. Brandon''s breathing grew heavier next to my ear, and his hand slipped under my clothes.


    Just then, my phone rang loudly from my pocket, causing both of us to jolt, abruptly cutting off our growing passion.


    I hurriedly reached for my phone. However, with Brandon pressing down on me, I fumbled a few times but couldn''t get to it. Brandon eventually helped


    The call was from Bree.


    I didn''t know if I should aurer the call.


    While I was hesitating, Brandon said, "Go ahead and answer it."


    Then, he got up and left the bedroom.


    I let out a long breath before putting the phone to my ear. "Bree."


    "Maddie, if I die, it''ll be because Chris and that woman drove me to it," Bree began.


    I didn''t know what happened, so I asked, "Bree, don''t be upset. What did they do to make you so angry this time?"


    "Today, I finally found out the real


    reason you two broke up. That bastard, Chris, dared to give the house he bought for your marriage to that woman!" Bree''s words tore open the scabbed wound in heart.


    in my


    swneN?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

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    Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    Although I hade to terms with my feelings for Chris, it didn''t mean the embarrassment and pain were


    gone.


    "Maddie, why did you keep quiet after suffering such a huge injustice? That house was bought for You should have thrown her out. I would rather give it to a beggar than let her stay there," Bree said stubbornly.


    She was the kind of person who can''t tolerate any injustice.


    That might be why Zack had always remained faithful. Besides loving her, he was probably afraid of provoking her.


    Since Chris and I no longer had anything to do with each other, there was no need to discuss this any further. I tried to calm her down by saying, "Bree


    "You may be able to let it go, but I can''t. I''ll have someone take back that house today," Bree said resolutely.


    you.


    I forced a slight smile before saying, "Even if you drive her out of that house, Chris can just buy another ce for her."


    Jewel was indeed the third party, but in the end, it was Chris who gave her the opportunity. The real problemy with Chris, not Jewel.


    "If he buys another ce, that''s his business, but that house belongs to you. No other woman deserves to live there." Bree''s words warmed my heart. Her protectiveness felt like that of a mother toward her daughter.


    "Bree, I know you''re trying to stand up for me and make me feel better, but there''s no need for that. Please don''t get yourself all worked up." I tried to p If she really made a scene, Chris might think I was behind it.


    I didn''t want to be entangled with him any longer, especially when Jewel thought I was trying to steal him away.


    "I''m not upset. I just want to make them angry! Don''t worry about it." Bree was so furious that nothing could calm her down.


    So, I didn''t try to persuade her any further.


    "That bastard, Chris! He''s hiding his mistress


    in the house he bought for his wife! If I see him, I''ll beat him to death..." After another round of cursing Chris, Bree finally hung up the phone.


    I put down my phone and stared at the ceiling, recalling the moment Gordon had taken me to see that house.


    I didn''t know how Bree found out about what happened that day, but I was afraid that Chris still didn''t know why I finally decided to break up with him. After lying in bed for a while, I got up and went to the living room.


    I didn''t see Brandon, so I assumed he was in the kitchen. When I looked, he wasn''t there either.


    Could he have gone back to his room?


    I was about to head toward the door when I heard the bathroom door open, and Brandon walked out.


    4281


    He looked at me with an expression that was different from usual. This made my heart skip a beat with


    unease.


    Thinking about how close we hade to starting something earlier, I awkwardly pursed my lips and tried to ease the tension by saying, "I''m hungry. Can you make me something?"


    Brandon didn''t respond. Instead, he walked up to me.


    I thought he was going to continue where we left off, and I raised my hand to stop him.


    However, he asked, "What is this?"


    I saw him holding the ointment Lisa


    had given me earlier. I had left it in the bathroom, intending to usedt after my shower tonight. Brandon had found it instead.


    Instinctively, I snatched it back and hid it behind me while ring at him with embarrassment. "Why are you messing with my stuff?" "Are you hurt?" Brandon''s voice was low.


    The embarrassment made me unable to respond. So, I turned around and ran into the bedroom, mming the door shut behind me. Half an hourter, Brandon knocked on the door. "Dinner''s ready. Come out and eat."


    I didn''t respond.


    After a moment, I heard him say, ¡°I''m leaving now.¡±


    I let out a sigh of relief.


    I was feeling hungry, so I opened the door. However, the person who said he was leaving was still standing right outside, like a guard.


    He tricked me?


    "Brandon, you... Before I could finish, he had extended his long arm and pulled me into his embrace. Then, he gently rubbed his face against my temple. "I''m sorry, it''s all my fault...¡±

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    Men couldn''t stand women''s tears, and women couldn''t stand when men showed vulnerability.


    Especially when it came to matters between men and women, it know how to be gentle the first time.


    was understandable that Brandon didn''t


    Lisa had thoughtfully sent me a message, exining that it was normal for women to have slight injuries during their first time, so I shouldn''t me Bra I thought Brandon owed Lisa a big thank you. She had not only helped him out of an awkward situation without him realizing it, but she also arranged Even though I was injured, Brandon had to control his desires. So, I thought he would quietly go back to his room. However, he didn''t leave. Instead, h "Brandon, aren''t you ufortable?" I asked yfully while lying in his arms.


    He only replied, "Don''t talk and go to sleep."


    I chuckled and teased, "Can you even sleep like this?"


    "Mae," he called me in a hoarse voice, "don''t be naughty."


    Brandon was indeed ufortable, longing to touch and suppressing his desires. If he slept alone, he probably wouldn''t feel so bad. However, he ins So, I poked him with my finger. "Why are you doing this to yourself?"


    In response, he just hugged me tighter.


    At that moment, I secretly smiled, realizing that even tough guys have their childish moments.


    "When do you n on bringing Ellie over?" I asked, turning to a more serious topic while still in his embrace.


    "I''ll go to thepany tomorrow to make the arrangements and pick her up," Brandon replied, gently stroking my shoulder.


    "Will youe back right after or stay a few days there?" I asked casually.


    "How long do you want me to stay there?" he asked me in return.


    I was a little taken aback, understanding his implication-he thought I would miss him.


    This guy was quite a narcissist.


    I didn''t take the bait and asked him, "Are you taking the train or flight?"


    "Either is fine, depending on the


    time,"


    Sdon''s deep voice was oft that I started to wels


    When a person was drowsy, the brain''s alert system was at its weakest. Remembering myst experience,


    I casually said, "Take the high-speed train. It''s morefortable."


    "Okay, I''ll


    the train then."


    Brandon seemed to be in the


    to agree with whatever I said Comet


    t belongs to envels


    My eyelids were getting heavy. "Ellie will be so happy to see you."


    ''She likes you too, so she''ll be happy to see you as well." I heard him say as I drifted off.Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    I thought about how much Ellie liked me. ¡°Well, I''m her sister-inw."


    Brandon chuckled softly, and I fell asleep.


    However, in the middle of the night, when I turned over Brandon wasn''t beside me.


    I thought he had left, but then I saw the light was on in the living room.


    I listened closely and heard faint sounds of groaning..


    What was Brandon doing?


    I groggily got out of bed and walked barefoot to the door, only to stop in surprise.


    Brandon was doing push-ups on the living room floor. Had he changed his morning exercise routine?


    I nced at the clock on the wall. It was 2:30 am.


    This wasn''t morning exercise. It was ate-night workout.


    Was it because he couldn''t sleep? Why couldn''t he sleep? Could it be he was thinking about... that?


    Realizing this, I quickly and quietly went back to bed, pretending to be asleep.


    Yes, I was pretending. Because now, I couldn''t sleep either.


    I listened as Brandon did push-ups for half an hour, then took another half hour to shower before finallying back to bed.


    Only then did I slowly drift off to sleep in his arms.


    In the morning, when I woke up, Brandon had already made breakfast.

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    Brandon had changed into a short-sleeved shirt with cargo pants.


    He seemed to like dressing this way, making him look like a stylish secret agent. His physique, which looked perfect due to his regr exercise routine


    I took a bite of the chicken and ham sandwich he made and curiously asked, "Do you go to the gym often?


    He ced an egg on my te and said, "No, I work out at home."


    "No wonder your push-ups are so perfect," I blurted out without thinking.


    Brandon was momentarily surprised before he lowered his gaze. I thought he was embarrassed that I had caught him, but he casually said, "You saw


    Now, it was my turn to be at a loss for words, so I quietly focussed on my food.


    Brandon''s cooking skills were truly top-notch. I never really liked ham, but this sandwich made me realize they could be this delicious.


    "Brandon, if you ever stop being an engineer, you could be a chef," I praised him, offering highpliments.


    After saying that, Iughed and added, "After all, they''re both professionals in their own right."


    To


    my surprise, he nodded in agreement. "Sure."


    Then, I chuckled. "Brandon, why do you always agree with everything I say?"


    "A man should always listen to his wife. His response left me stunned, making me blush.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    Brandon chuckled softly at that, so I punched him yfully.


    "Mae, you look really cute when you''re shy,¡± he whispered.


    "Stop saying that," I said, trying to cover his mouth with my hand.


    However, he dodged and teased, "I mean it."


    "You''re still saying it...." I protested yfully.


    As we were having fun, my phone rang.


    I realized that while phones were convenient, they could also be quite annoying, especially when they interrupted moments like this.


    I took my phone out while still in Brandon''s arms and saw it was Chris.


    At that moment, I was d I had already changed his name in my contact list. It used to be "My Mr.


    Gildon, but if Brandon had seen that, who knew what he would have thought?


    "Go ahead and answer it," Brandon said, letting go of me and starting to clear the table.


    Watching him busy in the kitchen, I answered Chris'' call. "Hello."


    That left Chris silent for a long time. I knew he heard it, and it probably shocked him with how distant I sounded. "Do you need something, Mr. Gildon?" I spoke again.


    22


    "Did we buy an insurance policy together before?" Chris finally spoke.


    His question reminded me of an event we attended four years ago, organized by an insurancepany.


    They had this so-called love insurance for couples. At that time, Chris and I had just started dating, so we bought one.


    The terms were that if the couple married, the insured amount would be doubled, and they could either cash it out or convert it into another policy. However, if the couple broke up, the insurance would automatically be void.


    Now that we had separated, the insurance was voided. I wasn''t sure


    why he was bringing it up now).


    didn''t ask and stated the facts. "We did, but it''s already voided.


    "Voided?" Chris seemed shocked.


    I was about to exin when Brandon called out, ''Mae, I''ve heated some milk for you. Do you want to have it now or pack it?"


    I wasn''t sure if Brandon did it intentionally, but I knew Chris heard it because he immediately asked, ¡°Are you living with Brandon?"


    Hearing the surprise and anger in his voice,


    I


    live with my boyfriend?" Coline''s


    mocked, "You can keep


    s in your house, but let


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    Chris was silent on the other end before hanging up.


    I was stunned for a few seconds before walking out of the room.


    Brandon handed me the milk and said, "You can drink it on the way to work."


    Thinking about how his words earlier had hit Chris, I called out, ¡°Brandon." "Hmm?" He looked at me while I walked closer to him.

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    Brandon looked at me, and I could feel his nervousness.


    It seemed he was feeling guilty.


    As expected, no man was truly indifferent when it came to the woman he loved.


    Seeing Brandon''s rare nervous expression made me smile inwardly as I deliberately kept a serious expression.


    I stood in front of him without saying a word. Brandon moved his lips as if he wanted to speak, but he seemed to be debating whether he should.


    For someone usually so straightforward, seeing him hesitate like this made him seem like a child who had done something wrong and didn''t know what to do.


    I couldn''t help but burst outughing. It made him even more confused.


    "Mae..."


    I reached out, took the milk he had prepared for me, and stood on tiptoe to kiss him on the cheek. "Thank


    you.


    After that, I started walking out of the house while calling over my shoulder, "Grab my bag."


    Brandon followed me all the way downstairs. He was visibly rxed now.


    When we reached the car, I switched things up and headed to the passenger side instead. Then, I tossed the car keys to Brandon and said, "You drive He took the wheel while I settled into the passenger seat, leisurely drinking the warm milk he had made while enjoying the music. I felt more rxed a As we were nearing thepany, Brandon suddenly pulled over by a bus stop.


    "What''s the matter?" I asked him.


    "Didn''t you say we shouldn''t let our colleagues know about our rtionship? I thought it''d be better if I got off here to avoid any misunderstandings in Shouldn''t he be the one forgetting such things? Yet here he was, reminding me.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    What did this mean?


    Suddenly, I thought about how the other women at thepany had admired


    and swooned over Brandon after he dealt with Yerrick. My mood soured instantly.


    ¡°Brandon, are you worried that being with me will hurt your chances of attracting other women at thepany?" I used, feeling unreasonable. "Of course not!" Brandon denied it immediately.


    Treached over and unbuckled his seatbelt. "Mr. Howell, please get out of the car."


    Brandon held my hand and said, "Mae, let''s be reasonable."


    Deep down, I knew I was being unreasonable.


    I was the one who asked him to keep a low profile at work, and he was simply following my request, but now I was getting upset about it. Women were str?nge and troublesome. I could even feel it myself.


    "I don''t want any other women. I just


    want you," Brandon said as he gently moved my hand restarted the car, heading to thepany.


    away and I stayed silent.


    After getting out of the car, I turned to him and said, "Mr. Howell, we''re just colleagues."


    Brandon smiled helplessly. "Sure."


    One thing I liked about this man was that he knew when I was being serious and when I was joking. He didn''t get upset over trivial things. Chris, on the other hand, was different.


    When we were together, I rarely


    joked because he couldn''t tell when I


    was. Even if he knew I was joking. he often read into it and thought meant something else. It was frustrating.


    Over time, I stopped joking with him altogether.


    Now, I find myself constantlyparing him with Brandon.


    It was inevitable, considering both men had been a significant part of my life.


    As they said, there was no harm withoutparison. Comparing Brandon and Chris, I realized where the differences between men lie. I learned that every rtionship different.


    "Good morning, Mr. Howell!"


    "Good morning. Ms. Crown!"


    Brandon and I stepped out of the elevator together and our colleagues greeted us warmly. We both nodded and responded politely, "Good morning."


    Then, we went to our respective offices and began our work.


    What was wrong with dating someone in the samepany?


    As long as you had boundaries, you could keep things professional.


    After I was done with the morning meeting with my team, Xander came to my office. "Ms. Crown, please handle the tasks you have on hand."

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    I got the gist of what he was saying. "Mr. Roulder, do you have any specific arrangements? Do you need me to go on a business trip?"


    Xander nodded. "You''ll have to go for two days."


    I had just finished the morning meeting and hadn''t heard of any new dealings, so this must have been ast-minute assignment from Xander. "Where am I going? And what''s the purpose?" I had to ask for details.


    "Well... Il confirm thatter." Xander''s response left me speechless.


    He wasn''t ready to give me more information, so I didn''t press him further. I quickly finished up all my current tasks and got everything in order.


    By 10:30 am, I finally had a moment to rest. I grabbed my cup and headed to the break room. Just as I reached the door, I overheard two women goss "The new engineer, Mr. Howell, looks so handsome. Those cargo pants he''s wearing today make his legs look really long."


    ¡°Isn''t that a little exaggerated? I think you''ve got a crush on him. But I remember you used to be into Mr. Roulder."


    "Yeah, I used to think Mr. Roulder was alright, but ever since Mr. Howell came..." The woman sighed. "Mr.


    aman Roulder doesn''t look so good anymore.


    I couldn''t help but smile at how ruthless their words were.


    "From now on, Mr. Howell is my one and only crush. No one can bepared to him!" The woman finished speaking just as I entered the break room. They noticed me and greeted me with a smile. "Ms. Crown, are you having tea or coffee?"


    I held my cup up. "I''ll help myself."


    I made myself a cup of coffee and sat down with them. So, you''ve fallen for our new engineer?"


    "Yes, he''s just too handsome! I heard he used to be in the military," one of the women said without any hesitation in front of me.


    "He is quite striking." I agreed with her as I sipped my coffee.


    Hearing me say that seemed to excite the women even more. "Ms. Crown, you and Mr. Howell are both in the upper management. Could you help usBelongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    I pressed my lips together, trying hard not tough.


    "Sure." I agreed.


    The woman was thrilled. "Thank you, Ms. Crown!"


    I took a small sip of my coffee and added with a bit of mischief, sure if he has a girlfriend, but


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    likely living with someone t


    "What?" The woman was shocked, and her face immediately fell with disappointment.


    After messing with her, I stood up with my coffee, ready to leave.


    However, the woman called after me, ''Ms. Crown, how do you know? Have you seen her? Or did Mr. Chapter 285


    Howell tell you?"


    Seeing that she wasn''t ready to give up, I decided to drop a bombshell. "I saw it myself."


    The woman was stunned. "What?"


    Her excitement deted quickly,


    she still wasn''t ready to let it go.


    "Ms. Crown, have you seen Mr.ne


    Howell''s girlfriend? What does she look like? Is she pretty?"


    Brandon sure had no shortage of admirers. Even I was struggling to keep them at bay. However, mine, and I needed to nip this in the bud


    1 gave her a faint smile. ''I haven''t seen her."


    he was


    The woman looked at me in confusion. So, I raised my hand and pointed at my neck. "This morning, I saw it on Mr. Howell."


    She froze, and I left her with a knowing smile. As I reached the door, I heard her gasp in realization. "A hickey!"


    Grinning mischievously, I walked out of the break room elegantly and went straight to Brandon''s office. Then, I knocked on the door.


    "Come in!"


    Brandon''s voice came from inside. I opened the door and saw him typing away on hisputer.


    When he looked up and saw it was me, he greeted, "Ms Crown, please have a seat."


    Not bad. He was following the rules. We were just colleagues in the office.


    Instead of sitting down, I walked over, went around his desk, and stood behind him.


    Brandon seemed unsure of what I was up to and looked up at me.


    I focused on his eye-catching


    Adam''s apple before lowering met


    head. Then, I leaned in to give it a yful bite, sucking on it lightly.

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    Brandon hissed, but I knew it was more out of


    sensitivity than pain. I felt him shudder, and unspeakable images flickered through my mind. I had to admit, I was a lot more wicked and demanding th


    After teasing him, I straightened up and nonchntly took a sip of my coffee. I then turned smoothly and left like nothing happened. My teasing must h and did not react for a while.


    I returned to my office and sat down. The moment I set my coffee mug on the desk, I rubbed my face and burst into giggles.


    I didn''t know why, only that I couldn''t help it. I was happy-


    truly, unabashedly happy. Perhaps it was sadistic glee or impish satisfaction. Children were often happy when they got up to mischief, and I figured I w


    I was still giggling when my phone chimed with a new message. I picked it up and nced at the screen, only to see Eden''s text. He had sent me an a on the outskirts of town.


    Zooming in on the location, I saw that it was apany called Finchworth Investment.


    Why did Eden send me the location of an investmentpany? Was the text meant for someone else, or was it just an excuse to bother me?


    I was still trying to figure out Eden''s intentions when he followed up with another text. "Go to the location if you want to see my dad."


    Did that mean Arthur had left the sanatorium?


    I couldn''t tell if Eden was telling the truth or if this was a trap.


    I didn''t like guessing, so I called Eden. When he picked up, he did not wait for me to speak and instead pointed out, "You don''t have to go if you don''t "You were the one who discouraged me from seeing your dad. I countered, throwing his words back at him. "You said he wouldn''t tell me anything eve So why would he send me the address of his father''s location now?


    "Yes, I told you there was no point in meeting him in person, but you seemed insistent on getting to the bottom of the matter," Eden said.


    He added with a scoff, "If you don''t want to go, feel free to pretend you never saw the text.


    I wasn''t surprised that the scion of the Griffins family would have such a temper.


    Just as I was about to say something, he continued, "But I ought to give you a heads-


    up. Just because I''ve given you the address, it doesn''t mean you''ll get to see my dad."


    With that, he hung up before I could even get a word in edgewise. I huffed and considered my options, spinning my phone on the table. Should I go or not?


    Bree had already told me everything, and whatever Eden said before made sense. If the truth behind the ident was exactly what I thought it was, Arthur might cover it up just like the other survivors. N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    I read Eden''s message again, gued by the dilemma If I refused to meet Arthur in person, I would be indirectly epting that the car crash, which imed my parents'' lives, had been a freak ident.


    Chantel 286


    However, how true was that?


    I was my parents'' only kin. How would they rest in peace if their only daughter did not look into the cause. of their deaths and determine if the ident had been orchestrated?


    I might be overthinking this, but I would much rather have peace of mind than wallow in questions.


    In the end, I decided to go. I knew there was a good chance that I was walking into Eden''s ruse, but I would never find out by staying here.


    When I left the office, I ran into the two young women gossiping in the pantry again. They had slung their purses over their shoulders like they were ab "Ms. Crown, are you heading out too?" one of the women asked cordially.


    I nodded. The three of us entered the elevator together, and one of them asked, "Have you seen Mr. Howell today, Ms. Crown?"


    An awkward cough escaped me as the thought of what I had done with Brandon crossed my mind. ¡°Uh, no. Why do you ask?"


    "Didn''t you see him pacing through our department earlier? We saw it! It''s really there!" The twodies were flush with excitement. "Oh?" feigned surprise.


    One of thedies pointed at her neck. "You know, his hickey?"


    ¡°Right here!¡± the other one piped up, pointing at her throat to help me picture it better. "It was reddish-purple, too!"

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    ?


    "It was a huge hickey, too! Mr. Howell''s girlfriend sure knows how to leave a mark!¡± said one of the twodies.


    ¡°Or it could be that Mr. Howell just really turns her on, her friend supplied.


    I stared at them speechlessly. They seemed rather wall acquainted with bedroom matters. Iughed dryly


    as Imented, "You two must be very observant,"


    "It wasn''t so much observing as Mr. Howell parading in front of us. I mean, he had his top two buttons undone. It was hard to miss!" Onedy nudged "Yes! We weren''t the only ones who saw it. Even the marrieddies, newbies in the other departments, and the janitordies saw it, too!"


    I fell silent once more,


    "Mr. Howell has always been a private person. He never leaves his post from the moment he shows


    up at work. Don''t you think it was unusual of him to pace around today?" one of them asked.


    "You''re right. Maybe he was trying to show off his hickey," her friend suggested.


    "It''s possible, but maybe he was..." the other trailed off pensively.


    Herpanion understood what she was implying and concluded, "No, he was definitely trying to tell he''s taken!"


    Upon hearing this, I couldn''t help but admire how quick-witted and emotionally intelligent women were. I was also impressed with how shameless Brandon was, going around and showing everyone he was off


    the market.


    My nose prickled at the thought. You could tell a lot about a man''s love for you by the way he behaved, and Brandon had as good as sworn his loyalty "Gosh, he''s such an angel. I think I might be even more in love with him now," said one of thedies.


    |


    "Right? He must really love his girlfriend."


    I smiled, a warm feeling coursing through me as I listened to the women gushing over Brandon.


    After getting into my car, I followed


    vel


    the address Eden had sent me and drove toward the industrial zone. Sure enough, I came across the congrattory banners that celebrated the start of a new business. Content belongs to


    Only then did I realize I had another problem. Even if I''d found the ce, would Arthur even grant me an audience?


    However, I was already here and wasn''t about to back down just because of a small obstacle.


    I had no idea what Finchworth


    Investment dabbled in. However, the


    owner had to be someone important enough for Arthur, who hardly


    BUTN?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    partook in societal affairs, to leave the Sanatorium to celebrate thepany''s initiation ceremony.


    I figured anyone who could make Arthur go to such lengths must be on good terms with Zack. I was reluctant to pull strings, but I didn''t have a choice. I would be foolish not to use any connection I had to my advantage.


    With that in mind, I stopped before the front desk and gave them Zack''s name. The receptionist checked the records and let me through without quest Gaining entry to the ce was not my priority. My main concern


    was to see Arthur in person. "I''d like to see Mr. Griffins. Which room is he in?" I asked outright


    The receptionist assessed me, but I did not offer any exnation and merely weed her appraising gaze. A few secondster, she smiled and resp I did not so much as thank the receptionist and only nodded as I left.


    Manners mattered, but thank-


    yous were not needed all the time. It was an unspoken rule of socializing. After all, there was a fine line between polite acknowledgment and outright p pleasing.


    I walked into a hall teeming with guests, and even then, I knew Arthur was


    not among them. Knowing him, he would not appear in crowds, which was why I had asked the receptionist for his room number.


    I stopped a passing worker and had him show me to Arthur''s room.


    Taking several deep breaths, I mustered enough courage to knock on the door. Before long, someone answered.


    A tall man surveyed me through the gap in the door and said warily, "State your business." here to see Mr. G


    "I''m Zack Gildon''s family."


    I answered matter-of-factly. After a pause, I added for good measure, "I''m


    A bright baritone sounded from within the room. "Let her in!


    My heart skipped a beat. The voice must belong to Arthur. In other words, he agreed to see me.

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    ?


    I had expected Arthur to turn me away and m the door in my face, but it seemed name¡ª


    dropping Zack had been a good idea. His charms must have worked on Arthur.


    I took a deep breath and entered the room, only to see an elderly gentleman with salt-and-


    pepper hair doing what appeared to be a series of stretches in the living room.


    Was he Arthur?


    i questioned silently in disbelief.


    I had looked into him beforeing here. Arthur was below 60 years old, probably around Zack''s age. He looked young in pictures, but now that I had


    Even if I had looked into him, I still couldn''t picture Arthur as the stretching-and-light-exercises type. I couldn''t help feeling like I hade to the wrong room and sought out the wrong person.


    "What is it, missy?" Arthur asked, breaking the silence even as he continued his stretching. He had as good as confirmed his identity.


    As for how he had ended up looking like this, I dared not make conjectures. Drawing a deep breath, I greeted, "Hello, Mr. Griffins. I''m Madeline Crown "Yes, I know who you are," Arthur said, still exercising.


    I froze, and my heart leaped to my throat.


    If Arthur knew who I was, did he also know why I had sought him out? Had Eden tipped him off beforehand?


    As if hearing my thoughts, Arthur added, "Zack fusses over you a lot like he would a daughter. He''s told me so much about you."


    Relief andprehension flooded me, but I was suddenly at a loss for words.


    He prompted me again, ¡°Go on, missy. Tell me why you''re here to see me.¡±


    Despite the exercise, he was hardly out of breath, and his voice was even.


    Since entering the room, I had not seen his face, only his side profile. I willed my breathing to slow before. saying. "Mr. Griffins, I wasOwned by N?velDrama.Org.


    wondering if you remember


    someone named Dominic Croel


    believe you negotiated with him


    I


    about a coboration over ten years ago."


    Arthur did not answer me. I watched him go through another series of exercises, his movements fluid and seamless. He repeated the movements befo


    He stood straight, his eyes closed as he put his hands in front of his chest and breathed out. He continued the breathing exercise in silence.


    Upon getting a full view of his face, I realized he did not look that much different from the pictures I had gathered during my investigation. However, I c


    The public''s narrative of him did not do him justice if his face was any indication. Perhaps these years of rest had changed him.


    I could tell he was adjusting his breathing after the exercise. While anxious to hear his answer, I knew better than to interrupt him.


    Atst, five minutester, Arthur


    slowly opened his eyes and leveled an assessing stare at me. The sharp look in his eyes sent a chill running down my spine, and my throat felt dry. Whatever words I had wanted to say curdled on my tongue.


    The bodyguard standing on one side of the room came along and handed Arthur a towel. Thetter took it and wiped his hands, asking. "How old are Why was he asking me about my age instead of answering?


    Bewildered, I answered frankly, ¡°24."


    When Arthur was done wiping his hands, the bodyguard stepped forward and took the towel to


    dispose of it. Arthur then headed toward the coffee table. A young female attendant standing nearby immediately poured Arthur a cup of t¨¦a. She also went to retrieve his nket.


    There was virtually no difference between Arthur and a real-life king. He certainly knew how to indulge!


    A small sigh escaped me. I thought about Zack, whose riches did not pale inparison to Arthur. Even he did not indulge as thetter did.


    Although the Gildons had a maid, Zack did the cooking most of the time. Bree even made it a rule for him. to do the dishes and clean the kitchen once Looking at Arthur now, I couldn''t help but think that Zack was little more than a peasant at home.


    However, they got along fine anyway. They could go days or years without meeting up, but when they did, their conversations never ran dry.

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    ?


    I wondered if Zack indulged in such luxury when no one was watching. My imagination ran wild, as it often did, and I found myself lost in thought. "Come sit here." Arthur beckoned.


    I walked over and let the youngdies who had tended to Arthur do the same for me. They poured me tea, their movements graceful and delicate. Whi


    disrespect Arthur by dismissing the help under his roof


    "You''re not married?" Arthur asked as he took a sip of tea.


    "No," I replied.


    He chuckled. "When are you marrying into the Gildon family?"This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    I was surprised he hadn''t heard about my break-


    up with Chris or that Eden had wanted to make me his wife. I wondered how Arthur would react if I had agreed to marry Eden and shown up here as h inw.


    "I won''t be getting married anytime soon," I said frankly.


    Arthur was not surprised at all. He merely smiled as he asked, "Where are you working?"


    1 should have expected such astuteness from a man his age. He had deduced that I was not working at Gildon Corporation after I said I wouldn''t be m


    I kept my answer vague. "It''s a smallpany. Not that someone as important as Arthur would know even if I told him.


    "What kind of man are you looking for?" Arthur seemed intent on asking me about my personal life, indirectly refusing to answer my initial question,


    I didn''t know if he was ying a game or making casual conversation, so I replied honestly, ''I have a boyfriend."


    "Oh." He smiled and brought the cup to his lips.


    He said nothing after that, but my patience had already run out. I pressed again. "Mr. Griffins, do you know Dominic Crown?"


    Arthur shook his head, "I''m afraid I don''t remember."


    My heart plunged to my stomach as I fished out the contract I had found in my father''s folder. extended the contract to Arthur and said, "Perhaps you s Instead of reaching for the contract, Arthur stared at it for a long moment before saying, "What are you trying to ask?"


    What? Did he want me to summarize my questions?


    I wanted to ask why the deal that had fallen through had been signed off and given to Zack. I also wanted to know if this contract had anything to do w


    My questions, regardless of how I phrased them, would only lead to one inference-


    Zack might have something to do with the car crash that took my parents'' lives.


    However, that didn''t make sense. Zack loved me like was his daughter. Even Arthur said so. I couldn''t pin my suspicions on him.


    Chapely 289


    Arthur chuckled at my silence. "Missy, do you know the saying ''cherish those you love while you still can''? It''s a rather popr tagline among lovebirds, isn''t it?"


    My throat tightened as I watched


    Arthur set his teacup down. At once, one of the attending youngdies handed him a napkin. He wiped his finger as he said, "There''s no point in living if you keep dwelling on the past. We all have to move forward."


    I knew that, but I found myself arguing, "But I don''t want my parents'' death to be shrouded in mystery!"


    "So, what is the mystery that you wish to solve?" Arthur asked.


    I was stumped. He looked up at me with a smile and continued, "I recently met a friend whose brain was injured in a car


    crash. He''s in his 40s, but his mind is like a child''s. Nothing matters to him more than having fun and being carefree.


    "Many people pitied him, but his wife told me he has never been happier than he is now. Do you know why?"


    As Arthur


    said this, he reached for a small, intricate box on the table and pinched something from it. He then pressed his thumb and index finger against his nos It was snuff. I knew that much.


    "It''s because, as the wife said, the


    man didn''t know how to loosen up before the ident. He wanted to control and manage everything,


    which was hard. But now, he


    much happier after he was forced to surrender control because of his brain injury.


    "Missy, all I''m saying is ignorance can sometimes be bliss. Do you understand?" Arthur pointed in my direction as if casting a spell on me..


    I understood it perfectly.


    How could I not when I had spent all my time guessing?


    I inhaled deeply and said, ¡°I just want to love those I love without fear or shame.¡±

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    ?


    Zack and Bree had been nothing but kind to me. They treated me like I was their own. I knew this, yet since I discovered the contract, I could not help


    I wanted to stop feeling that way and love them as they so openly loved me. I wanted to reciprocate their eptance of me.


    A small chuckle escaped Arthur. "Like father, like daughter."


    I froze at his words. He had told me he did not remember my father. My breath hitched when I realized he had been lying, and my nails dug into my pa Arthur let out a breathyugh and borated, "Zack mentions him so often that it''s hard for me to forget the name. Otherwise, I wouldn''t have bothere My throat tightened, and I dared to ask, "What did Zack say about my father?"


    Arthur rose to his feet. One of the bodyguards made toe over and help him, but Arthur stopped him with a hand. He sauntered to the floor-to- ceiling windows and gazed out at the greenwn. "What do you think he''d say about your father, missy?"


    Cunning old man. I should have known he would throw the question back at me.


    I had no idea what Zack would say about my father, nor did I dare to venture a guess. In the end, I stood up and joined Arthur by the window. "Zack wa Arthur made no reply, keeping his eyes on the scenery outside. I followed his gaze and drank in the view of the expansive greenwn. It was therapeu


    I couldn''t help remembering the open meadow my father had brought me to. While our family hadn''t been well- off, they made sure to take me on vacations every year.


    My parents didn''t believe in vacationing among skyscrapers and city smog. They preferred to bask in nature''s goodness. As such, my childhood mem The or green


    landscape before me reminded me of the Havenbell Meadow, where my parents took me camping among the local farm people. True to local culture,


    "Dad told me he would bring me to see the world, I said, recalling my father''s promise. However, he was gone, and I had lost my wanderlust. Since moving in with the Gildons, | had always declined Zack and Bree''s offer to bring me on trips. Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    Going on trips required me to revisit my deepest wounds, something I did not intend to do. I did not want to bleed again.


    "Missy, I''m sure there''s someone who misses your father as much as you do," Arthur suddenly said.


    I held my breath and waited for him to continue.


    He did not beat around the bush and gave me the answer I had been looking for. "I don''t know if the car crash that took your parent''s lives was malicio can confirm Zack had nothing to do


    with it."


    Tremained silent, even as I was thrumming with the urge to ask


    him how he could be so sure. However, I knew things between me and Zack would sour if I asked more questions,


    This might not be a confrontation with Zack, but Arthur was so close to him that I couldn''t help assimting them. He was even assessing me the same


    "Zack had given up on the contract


    after your father got into an


    ident, but I knew it was a deal


    they had worked on together. I really wanted the deal, so I sought Zack out a few times. I told him your parents had died for the deal, and if helet it go to waste, your father would have died for nothing."This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    Arthur''s words left me stumped, but they also made my heart tighten.


    "Missy, listen to me. Zack isn''t the greedy sort, and he certainly wouldn''t scheme or backstab his friend for money. I wouldn''t have


    gotten acquainted with him otherwise," he added solemnly.


    I considered his words and admitted he made sense. At once, the weight on my chest disappeared. I had suspected Zack at first, but I feared being rig

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    ?


    I was terrified that the familial love Zack and Bree had given me would turn out to be a joke. I wasn''t sure if I could believe Arthur. His was only one sic of the story.


    I shouldn''t overthink or be so suspicious, but this concerned my parent''s


    deaths. I just didn''t know what else to ask or how I should probe, so I stayed silent.


    "Missy, you might not know this, but Zack has a secret fund,¡± Arthur said. I looked up at him in surprise, and he chuckled. "Don''t worry. Zack couldn''t b


    I nearlyughed, too. At least Arthur was astute. The inte had painted him as a man who had more wives and lovers than most, but even as he ind Eden.


    I pointed out, ¡°Zack and Bree are very happily married.¡±


    Arthur smiled, and I didn''t quite catch the meaning behind it. He said, "Zack''s secret fund is impressive by


    normal standards. It contains the profit and interests from the deal your father made."


    He then looked at me and borated, "The secret fund was set up in your father''s name. In other words, that money belonged to him."


    I was stunned. I had never heard about this despite the years I was in Gildon Corporation. Zack and Bree hadn''t told me, either.


    "Zack said your father sacrificed himself for the money, and he would feel bad about using it. As such, all the profit derived from the project had gone i your parents left you."


    Tears rolled down my cheeks when I heard this. At the same time, a sharp pain radiated through my chest. I never expected Zack and Bree to have do for me. I felt bad for even suspecting them of foul y.


    "Missy," Arthur said, his voice a solid tether that pulled me out of my thoughts. "Zack did not betray your father."


    Not only that, he had been wallowing in guilt over that contract and showed me more kindness and love than he did his son.


    "It''s unfortunate." Arthur sighed.


    I didn''t know what he meant by that, but I was too strung up to listen further.


    "Thank you, Mr. Griffins." I bowed my head in thanks before leaving.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    After I left, I drove quite a distance before I decided to stop somewhere and spaced out behind the wheel. While I was touched by Zack''s


    gestures, I refused to base mi"


    conclusion on Arthur''s side of the story. Content belongs to


    I needed more confirmation.


    As such, I drove to the police station to retrieve the case file on my parents'' ident.


    However, I was refused. "I''m sorry, miss, but this is an old case. If you''d like to retrieve the case file, you''d have to make an appointment ande up a direct kin of the car crash victims."


    Documentary proof? I wasn''t aware


    that they needed a family tree. I was fuming and about to say something when a familiar voice sounded. "Get her details down and retrieve the case file for her."


    "Yes, Mr. Lowenstein," the administrator at the desk stood up and replied respectfully.


    I turned to look at the man who had spoken in my favor, only to see a familiar figure standing next to him.


    It was Chris!


    I could only conclude that the captain of the police station, whosest name was Lowenstein, had only agreed to help me because Chris told him to.


    "May I have your ID, please?" the administrator asked, her voice snapping me back to reality. I fished out my ID.


    After the administrator registered me as a visitor, she turned on theputer and began to retrieve the case file for me.


    I was anxiously waiting when a figure suddenly appeared next to me. I cast the person a sidelong nce.

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    ?


    "Madeline!" It was Yerick, and the grin he shed me was nothing short of feral delight.


    My lips curled at the sight of him. It truly was my lucky day. "What? Did you get in trouble or something?"


    It was unlikely Yerick hade to the police station for the fun of it.


    He nodded and said without shame, "I got caught driving without a license."


    This reminded me of the birthday party he had invited me to. He was still underage. I drawled


    sarcastically, ¡°Congrattions.¡±


    "Thank you," Yerick replied graciously, unaffected by my withering tone.


    Unlike him, I had bigger things to worry about. Dropping the conversation altogether, I cut


    a look at the administrator in the midst of retrieving the case file for me.


    The administrator stared unblinkingly at theputer screen, still searching. I wondered if


    it took so long because my father''s case had happened over a decade ago.


    Yerick leaned close to me and asked curiously, "What are you doing here, Madeline?"


    *Just running an errand." I humored him.


    He took it as an opportunity to y hero. "What kind of errand? Is it a tough one? If it is, I could hook you up with someone and have them help you."


    1 scoffed. "You''re better off looking for someone to ball you out."


    He was fortunate he hadn''t injured anyone while driving without a license. If he had, I reckoned he would be behind bars for a while..


    Yerick smiled smugly. "I''m already in the clear."


    I suddenly thought about Chris'' appearance earlier. From the looks of it, he hade to save Yerick.


    The next second, I felt a nudge against my shoulder as Yerick inched closer. He said in a low voice, ¡°My brother-in-


    law and the captain are pretty close."


    I was right, but hearing him refer to Chris as his "brother-inw'' irked me to no end. I knew he said it on purpose, too.


    "I''m good, thanks," I ground out.


    "It''s fine. We''re pretty


    tight. I''m sure I could get him to pull some strings. I''ll go and talk to him right now," Yerick offered, my affronted reaction only spurring him on.


    He and Jewel truly were rted.


    They seemed to have a knack for


    annoying others. However, I had be immune to such jestings and I even learned to give a snappyeback from time to time. "Very well, then. Go ahead and tell him. I''ll wait right here."


    Only then did Yerick''s smarmy, mischievous grin fade. He then snorted as he demanded, "You''d seriously stoop that low?"


    "You didn''t care about discretion, so why wouldn''t I stoop low enough to ask him to pull strings for me?" I countered venomously.


    Yerick shrugged and finally gave up on his shenanigans. However, he started talking again after two seconds. "What are you having them look into any


    As he said this, he poked his head forward to try and read the administrator''sputer screen. I grabbed his hair and pulled his head backward, hissi "Ow! Ow! That hurts!" he yelled, though it was hard to tell if he was faking it.


    "Go away. Get out of my sight. The further, the better," I warned as I released him and shoved him to the side.N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    Just then, the administrator found the case file and said, "It''ll be two dors for printing. You may pay by scanning the code."


    "Got it," I answered, fishing out my phone only to see a slew of unread messages.


    I couldn''t be bothered going through them right now and quickly scanned the provided code to make payment.


    The administrator clicked the "print"


    button, and within seconds, the


    whirring of the printing machine. filled the air. My heart thumped wildly as the printing machine worked.


    The print job was done within moments. After the administrator stapled the pages together, I heard a familiar voice behind me.


    "I swear, Yerick, the next time you get in trouble, you''re on your own!"


    It was Jewel!


    The only reason why Yerick could get away with the things he did was because Jewel had been cleaning up after him.


    It was not surprising to see her here, not that it mattered. I only had to pretend I didn''t hear her. I just wanted to see the report.


    Unfortunately, fate was inclined to torture me. The next moment, Yerick yelled like a wimp, "Madeline, save me!"


    Before I could register what he said, he charged toward me and grabbed my wrist, pulling me forward so that he could hide behind me.

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    ?


    Yerick was six feet tall and could have brought me down to the floor if he had pulled my arm harder. I swayed in ce as I struggled to regain my footi


    She looked stormy, and for a moment, I was shocked to realize she was not as beautiful up close.


    Why did I ever think she was pretty?


    Perhaps one''s face was determined by one''s feelings Judging by how twisted she was, it made sense. that her appearance would reflect it.


    "Yerick,e here!" Jewe seethed, glowering at her younger sibling.


    "Madeline, save me!" Yerick pleaded like a helpless child behind me.


    I rolled my eyes and cursed his wimpy ass. Annoyed, I snapped, "Let go of me!"


    "Madeline, please!" he begged, gluing himself to me as a child would when asking for favors.


    I gritted my teeth and raised my leg, bringing my heel down on Yerick''s foot. He yelped in pain and let go out of instinct.


    My arm freed. I rubbed my skin against my shirt as if to wipe off the feel of his fingers and walked away. However, Jewel stuck her arm out to cut me o


    "I didn''t peg you for the cruel, vicious type, Madeline," Jewel bit out, her words catching me off guard. The next second, my surprise was reced by f "You turned the Gildons against me and made them pick on me even though you and Chris are already over! Did you think you''d win? It''s not as if Chr Enlightened, I thought about what Bree had told me before. As it turned out, she made good on her word and kicked Jewel out of the house.


    I had tried to stop Bree then, but now, I secretly praised her bold move. As such, I did not balk under Jewel''s mutinous gaze and merely snorted. "I dor Jewel''s face turned white with anger, "What do you have to gain from it anyway?"


    "Gain?" Iughed humorlessly. "Your suffering is my biggest gain."


    If she was so set on painting me as a viin, I might as well y the part.


    "You-" Jewel''s lips quivered, but she did not know what to say to me.


    I didn''t want to waste my breath on her, so I stepped away from her extended arm and left.


    Yerick yelled behind me, so insistent that it bordered on irritating, "Remember to turn up at my birthday party, Madeline!"


    There was a pause, then, "Ow! Jewel! Stop it! Use your words-Madeline, help!"


    He could have added "Your


    Highness before my name, and wouldn''t have bothered helping him. I could tell by his cries and wails that Jewel wasshing out at him after enduring my sharp words.


    I hurried out of the station with the case documents in hand. I wanted to read it somece quiet where I


    could calm down, so I brisk-walked to the car.


    s, the universe was keen on mocking me today. I had only just reached my car when I ran into Chris. And because the universe had a twisted sense of humor, Chris'' car was parked parallel to mine.


    Thest thing I wanted to do was speak to him. I was about to ignore him and get into my car when he said, ¡°Maddie.¡±


    I did not turn around. Keeping my back to him, I said coldly, "I''m busy." With that, I got into my car with a flourish.


    However, he held the edge of the car door to keep me from closing it. I was desperate to read the case file on my parents'' ident, but the world was


    Furious, I snapped, ¡°What the hell do you want, Chris? have nothing to say to you! Let go!"


    "Mom kicked Jewel out of the house. Did you know that?" Chris asked, his gaze dark as he leveled it upon me. He had phrased his usation as a question, but heard it all the same.


    I could understand Jewel''s grudge


    against me, but I didn''t think Chris, I


    with whom had been together for a decade, would use me of such pettiness. I scoffed, finally seeing the decade I had wasted on him as a hrious fever dream. N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    I did not deny his usation, either. Instead, I pointed out venomously, "She should have been kicked out a long time ago. She never belonged in that

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    ?


    I


    Only the weak would get picked on, and the fact that Chris and Jewel dared to confront me after what they did proved that I was a weakling in their ey


    In that case, I had no choice but to show them I could still sting if I wanted.


    Chris grimaced at my sharp words. "Madeline," he said.


    "Let go," I barked again.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    He did not obey and instead said, "I wasn''t ming you or anything. I just... wanted to let you know."


    ¡°What for? To make up for your slimy actions?"


    My words were nothing short of vicious as I snapped, "Don''t waste your-breath. I''m not interested in your life updates anyway."


    A muscle feathered in his jaw when he heard this, and judging by the throbbing vein on his temple, I knew he was leashing his temper. His gaze flicker


    I knew that in the past, he would have mmed the door shut and walked away without another word. Surprisingly, he did not walk away this time.


    He leveled a long, hard stare at me before saying, "The amusement park will be open for business as nned. I''d like you toe by when it does."


    My breath hitched. I could not bring myself to turn his invitation down. Beyond


    being a project I had worked on, the amusement park meant something special to me.


    I wanted to go. I had been waiting for the amusement park''s first day of business since construction began, hoping to stand on the highest peak and te However, as things were, I was conflicted.


    As though sensing my dilemma, Chris offered inpromise, "But if you don''t want to go because of me, I''m happy to sit out on the day of the grand I nced at him and bit out, "No need."


    Just to spite him, I added, ¡°You don''t mean enough to me to affect me in any way.


    Chris was stone-faced as he growled, "Do you find joy in wounding me with words?"


    I ignored him and pulled the door open. "I need to go."


    *So, will you be there on the day of the grand opening? Chris pressed before letting go of the door.


    "We''ll see." I tugged on the door firmly, and he released his grip. The car door fell shut with a resounding thud


    I saw Chris jump at the sound, and


    he took a wary step back. I started the car and let out a slow breath. ncing at the case file on the passenger seat, I stepped on the gas and drove to somece open. Taking a deep breath, I picked up the document and flipped through the pages. My hands trembled with


    each page I flipped, and eventually, I was shaking so badly that I nearly dropped the document.


    was starting to understand why Zack and Bree were so determined to keep the case details a secret from me. They had been scared that the truth wo


    The case document contained a lot of photographic evidence taken from the site of the crash. While the


    graphics were in ck and white, I could still make out the horrors of the aftermath.


    Cold sweat broke out over my back and forehead dug my nails into my palms but couldn''t help the roiling in my stomach. I never imagined my parents deaths to be so horrific There was nothing but a mess of flesh and blood where their faces should have been. Content belongs


    to NovelDrama.Org


    I would never have believed the people in those photos were my parents had their names not been listed.


    My phone buzzed, but I was suddenly too drained to pick it up or check the caller ID.


    I forced myself to finish reading the document, but my hands trembled so badly that holding up the pieces of paper took more effort than it was worth. I even saw ck spots in my vision. Content belongs to


    I was reeling from the shock. It was too much.


    I grappled for my phone before I passed out. I thought heard someone call out to me, but I was already too out of it to answer,


    I was dreaming. I dreamed of my parents and the horrific car crash. I dreamed of the scene that I found extremely hard to process.


    A scream erupted from me as shock and devastation barreled through me.


    "Mae! Mae..


    Someone was murmuring close to my ear, and shing before my eyes was the image of my parents beckoning me. "Mae, why don''t we make spinach ravioli for lunch?"

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    I heard my father''s voice. "Mae, let''s go stargazing tonight. I''ll count the stars with you."


    "Mae, be a good girl and eat your medicine, alright?"


    "Mae..."


    "Mom! Dad!" I cried.


    I reached for them, but something pinned my hands down. Someone was calling my name. "Mae. Mae, wake up... Wake up..."


    | I felt someone cup my face, and the next second, I was staring at Brandon''s anxious face. His thumb brushed my cheek as he murmured, "Mae, it''s


    It was Brandon. I snapped out of the painful dream, but the hurt was even more vivid now that I was fully awake.


    I bit my lower lip hard enough that I might have drawn blood if Brandon hadn''t stopped me. He gently pried my lips open as he said, ¡°Mae, don''t hurt y He was calling me by my old nickname, the way my parents had. I saw images of my parents, and I couldn''t help the scream that escaped me. Brandon pulled me into his arms, and I buried my face in his shoulder as I sobbed. My fists thumped against his solid frame. No one knew how upset My parents-they had been so full of love, yet their lives ended so abruptly and horrifically.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    I couldn''t ept it, and the more I cried, the more the wound in me opened up. It hurt so much that I could have keeled over, but I was helpless agains However, Brandon held me firmly enough to keep me from hurting myself. Lost in my fit, I bit him hard on the shoulder.


    Once again, I passed out amid my outburst. I did not dream this time. When I awoke, it was to the warm yellow lights overhead and the man slumped


    1 vaguely recalled what I did before darkness imed me, and I closed my eyes in exhaustion. I was still hurting, but my emotions were in check, and


    "Do you want water?" Brandon asked softly the moment he sensed I was awake, though he remained slumped over the bedside.


    I hummed quietly, mostly so he


    would not fret over me anymore. He


    helped me up and picked up the ss of warm water on the nightstand. He brought it to my lips


    and waited for me to take a sip.


    "I can drink it myself," I said. It wasn''t until my hand trembled as it sped around the ss that I realized how weak I was.


    "Drink," Brandon said gently but firmly as he tipped the rim against my lips.


    I gulped down half a ss. Water spilled down the corners of my mouth, but Brandon wiped it off.. nced at the weary expression on his face, then at the sky outside the window.


    "What time is it?" I dared ask.


    "It''s 10:00 pm," he answered. He added for good measure, "It''s still the same day."


    I parted my lips to say something, but he patted my head affectionately and asked, "Are you hungry?"


    I wasn''t, but judging by his looks, I reckoned he hadn''t eaten anything. As such, I nodded and said, "I want. oatmeal. With berries and syrup."


    He nodded. ¡°All right. Anything else?"


    What else?


    I thought about the tbread my mom used to make for me and told him I wanted those, too. He agreed readily and probed, "Is there anything else you I shook my head.


    "That''s all,¡± I said. "I''ll have whatever appetizer you have."


    Brandon''s warm palm ruffled my hair. ¡°Give me a moment. I''ll have someone deliver the food."


    With that, he took out his phone and began texting. I didn''t know who he was texting, nor did I ask.


    I stared at the ceiling numbly, the


    hollowness in me foreign and


    isting. When my phone rang Brandon grabbed it and did not hand it over immediately. He nced at the caller ID and said, "It''s Conrad."

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    Why would Conrad call me thiste at night?


    I was still questioning the odd timing when Brandon said, "Oh, he sent you a text, too."


    I blinked as he handed me the phone. I was still drained and admittedly out of it. Noticing this, he pointed out helpfully, "You don''t have to answer if you


    I was in the middle of deciding when the phone went silent after the call was automatically


    declined. I took the phone and scrolled through the messages, the ones I had left unread since morning.


    "Maddie, can we meet?"


    "There''s something I need to tell you, but I don''t know I should."


    "Text me back when you get this."


    Conrad followed up with two texts in the afternoon.


    "I''m still waiting for your text, Maddie."


    "Are you busy, Maddie?"


    I could feel his anxiousness through these messages and that he had been waiting for me to reply. If there was something he needed to tell me and he In the years since I had known Conrad, he had protected and watched over me like an older brother. He wouldn''t tell me anything if he thought he cou


    After a moment of hesitation, I returned his call. He picked up almost instantly. "Maddie, where are you?" "Conrad, what''s wrong?" I cut to the chase. He was quiet for a beat or two. I was about to repeat my question when he asked, "Are you all right?"


    He must have heard how weak I sounded over the phone, but I was more anxious to know what he had to say. "I''m fine, Conrad. What did you want to tell me?"


    "Can we meet?" he asked.


    I was lying in a hospital bed, so meeting him was an impossibility for now. Just as I was about to ask him to tell me over the phone, the door opened. Lisa came in and snapped at me when she saw me speaking on the phone. "What business could be so important that you simply must get on the pho


    I covered the phone, hoping to muffle her words before Conrad caught them. However, it was toote. He asked frantically, "Are you sick? Are you in t couldn''t keep this from him any longer, so I said, "I had a dizzy spell. It''s no big deal."


    Conrad made no reply, but before I could ask him what he wanted to tell me, he said, "Get some rest."


    He hung up after that. I had no choice but to set my phone aside, only to find Lisa already pulling out her stethoscope.


    ¡°Dr. Carline,st I checked, you were a gynecologist," I joked.


    217


    "Shut it," she snapped at me again.


    I kept my mouth shut and let her listen to my heartbeat for a long moment. She then straightened up and kept the stethoscope. "Your heartbeat sounds normal. You


    should be all right."


    After that, she shot me a dirty look and retorted, "Also, just because I''m a gynecologist, it doesn''t mean I can''t handle minor conditions like yours." Minor conditions. I knew she had said this to keep me from worrying. This was typical of Lisa, who was often brash on the outside but considerate with


    I hooked my pinky around hers and asked softly, ¡°Are you working the night shift?"


    "No, I''m getting off work as soon as I''m done examining you," she said, and I sputtered.


    I joked, "I thought you''d stay to keep mepany!"


    Lisa jutted her lower lip in Brandon''s direction. "It seems someone else beat me to the job."


    If I were being honest, Lisa would make a better and more practicalpany than Brandon right now. didn''t know why I felt this way. Perhaps it was because my


    el


    rtionship with Brandon had yet to be defined, or maybe I simply didn''t want him to see such a pathetic side of me.


    e


    I nodded, and Lisa gave me yet another incredulous look as if to say that if Krefused to let Brandon


    el


    caretaker for the night, he might very well take it the wrong way. Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    Im going to bring up the takeout I ordered and give youdies some privacy," Brandon offered when he sensed the wordless conversation between me


    As soon as the door closed behind him, Lisa jabbed my forehead with a finger. ¡°I''m starting to think your moral code is a little twisted, you subus."


    Iughed. "It''s hical to scold the invalid. Also, my moral code is far from twisted, and I''m not a subus!"Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.

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    Lisa used with a raised brow, "You were about to pretend that nothing happened between you and the poor guy after you used him for your pleasu "That''s not true," I argued.Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    She huffed. "Oh, so you didn''t just suck the soul out of him and left him pining for you?"


    My own soul felt like it had only just settled within my exhausted body when I saw Lisa pointing at her neck. She braced her arms against the bed as s up energy and devoured Mr. Howell."


    I swallowed at the thought of the hickey I had left on Brandon''s neck. "It''s not what you think. I-"


    Lisa put up a hand to stop me. "Save your breath."


    I let out an exasperatedugh, though I agreed I shouldn''t try to exin myself, lest I made things sound even more scandalous than they already wer Lisa leveled a calm stare at me as she asked, "So, do you feel more at ease now?"


    I knew she was asking about my investigation of my parents'' ident. I closed my eyes and refused to answer. She perched by my bedside and patte on the past."


    It was indeed the past, but the horrors of it were carved into the back of my mind.


    Sensing my sullen mood, Lisa changed the


    topic. "I think Brandon''s a pretty decent guy. You should have seen the way he looked when he showed up at the hospital with you in his arms." "What way?" I asked, leaning closer to her.


    She fished out her phone and typed something on it. "I just sent you the video. Take a look for yourself."


    I grabbed my phone and clicked on the video she sent me. Sure enough, Brandon hurtled through the corridors to track


    down a doctor. The worry etched on his face was so palpable


    that it was hard to miss. My heart wrenched at the sight of this. I didn''t think anyone in this world except my parents would go mad worrying over me.


    *A guy like him deserves to be cherished, Maddie." She nced at me meaningfully and added, ¡°Anyway, I should go now before he feels bad about in


    I tugged at her before she could leave and asked, eyes sparkling at the prospect of gossip, "Hey, how was dinner with Keith?"


    She pursed her lips. "It was fine."


    "Define ''fine." I pressed curiously.


    Clearing her throat, Lisa said, "I''ll tell you more about it once you get better."


    "But I want to hear it now." I insisted, bordering on pestering her now that she was intent on keeping me waiting.


    She prodded my forehead again like she was dealing with a petnt child but relented. "He asked me if I still had feelings for him." "Huh?" I was shocked. "That''s rather direct of him."


    Lisa huffed augh, and I tightened my grip on her. "And what did you say? Please don''t tell me you


    balked and said no!"


    "As if I''d balk," she countered dryly with a cock of her brow.


    I blinked slowly. "So... Are you guys official now?"


    She snorted. "Official? Sure, if you count sneaking around together as official."


    "Could you stop the roundabout answers and tell me the truth?" I begged, already on the edge of my seat. Well, bed.


    She quirked her lips. "What do you think his answer was?"


    I hated that she wanted me to guess


    even as I begged for answers. I thought about the look Keith had given her the other day and teased, "He probably said something along the lines of, "I have not thought of anyone else since Iid eyes on you, mdy."


    Lisa''s lips tightened. "He said three words."


    "Which three?"


    I added helpfully, "I like you''? Oh, no, wait. Could it be ''I love you'' instead?"


    When she did not answer, my eyes bugged out of my head. "Seriously? Is he that direct?"


    She gently rapped her knuckles against my head. "He said, "I got it."


    ¡°Excuse me?" I gaped at her. "What else did he say?"


    "He said nothing else." Lisaughed bitterly. "Is that a polite rejection? I''m not sure."


    I was at a loss for words, but she


    smiled and spared me from having tofort her. "I won''t be pining"


    after something I know and


    well."


    UMS


    She stood up, but I tugged on her arm once more and demanded, "So that was all that happened during your meal with him?"


    "We didn''t even finish the meal


    together. He was summoned by another senior after that," Lisa exined. She flicked the tip of my


    nose as she chided, "Stop fussing over me and get some rest. Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    When she left, Iy quietly in bed, my mind still nk as weariness seeped in. I heard two knocksing from the door. I thought Brandon had retu

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    Conrad came in with a bouquet, his face etched with worry. "What happened to you?"


    It seemed inappropriate to remain lying in bed, so I grabbed the bedside rail and heaved myself upright. Conrad hurried over to pin me against the pill


    "I''m fine," I insisted as I tried to sit up. I never felt self-conscious while lying down while Brandon was around, which set him apart from the other men in my life.


    Conrad stared at me. "So what happened?"


    What was I supposed to tell him? That I went into shock after learning the gravity of my parents'' ident?


    It wasn''t that I didn''t know how to exin it to him, but that I didn''t want to.


    I wondered when I had grown tired of exining and resorted to giving vague, if not untrue, responses. "Low blood sugar, that''s all, I lied. When I caug


    He parted his lips and humored me with a white lie in return. ¡°It''s not a big deal."


    "Conrad," I bit out. "If there''s something you need to tell me, go ahead. Beating around the bush only makes me anxious." once you get


    "We''ll talk about it better," he said.


    Conrad had never been the straightforward type. It was probably the reason why I couldn''t see him as anything but an older brother. He certainly woul


    However, I knew how to get him to spill, so I urged, "You have to tell me because I know you''ve got something on your mind, and the secrecy is killing me. It won''t do my recovery any good."This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    Exasperation flickered across his face as he relented. "Fine, I''ll tell you."


    There was a pause before he continued, "Did you hear that Chris got into a heated argument with my parents?"


    "No," I admitted. When I saw Chris earlier today, he hadn''t mentioned it to me, either.


    Conrad sighed. "My mom threw


    Jewel out of Chris'' house, so he got mad and argued with her. My dad gave him a beating to straighten him out and told him they would disown him. He even threatened to kick Chris out of thepany.


    I had heard of Jewel getting kicked out of the house, but I hadn''t heard about thetter half. I had a feeling things would turn out this way when Bree first mentioned she wouldcast out Jewel, but she refused to take my advice.


    "Why are you telling me all this?" I asked. Conrad must have a reason for telling me now.


    He winced as if debating whether to tell me the truth.


    laughed, sensing the reason for his hesitation. "You want me to talk to your parents, huh?"


    ¡°I know I shouldn''t drag you into this mess, Maddie, but my parents listen to you. Besides..." Conrad trailed off, but I knew what he would say. "Besides, this all happened because of me, right?" I finished his sentence for him.


    ¡°That''s not what I meant, Maddie,¡± he began defensively.


    A chuckle escaped me as I said, "Chris move in. It was one of the reasons why he going to give me that house as a present, but he let Jewel


    left him. I told you an much."


    Conrad pinned me with a hard stare, and I weed it "I never told your parents about it. As for how they found out about Jewel staying there, your g I paused for emphasis and continued solemnly, "I did not rat Chris out. If I didn''t want Jewel in that house, I would have thrown her out the moment I s "Maddie, you''ve got it all wrong. I wasn''t using you or anything. I was just..."


    Conrad tried to exin, but I held up a hand to stop him mid-sentence. "Let me finish."


    He stopped talking and remained


    quiet as I went on. "Your mom told me about this over the phone. I told. her that this was in the past and she should let it go, but she insisted on seeing it through. Your father''s


    punishment of Chris remains


    between them."


    Surprise shed in Conrad''s eyes. He probably did not expect such heartless words from me. A few secondster, he nodded. "I knew I couldn''te

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    I said frankly, "Chris is an adult now, Conrad. He''s responsible for his own choices."


    If Zack threw Chris out of the house or disowned him, was because of thetter''s own doing.


    Conrad countered, "I know, but I can''t stand seeing the wedge driven between him and Dad. Besides, if her left thepany, the business would suffe


    My lips tightened. "Not entirely. You''re still around to hold the fort."


    Surprise flickered in his eyes. "Maddie, I never wanted to run thepany. I wouldn''t have left if I did."


    His desire, or theck thereof, to run thepany was a secret only he knew. However, I did not remark


    on this


    After a beat, I said, "I''m sure your father has ns for thepany. He wouldn''t have kicked Zack out so readily if he didn''t think thepany could s


    I even threw in a kerel of wisdom. "The world moves on no matter what."


    Conrad was stunned at first, and he sputtered bitterly, "I suppose I haven''t thought of things on such a grand scale."


    "You were probably at your wits end," I allowed in sce, hoping he would take the cue to drop the


    matter.


    He fixed me with an assessing stare. "You''re different from four years ago, Maddie."


    Four years ago?


    He had to be joking. Even a child would have outgrown his juvenile traits in four years. I smiled and said wryly, "I suppose this is what they call ''growin


    He sighed and gave me an unreadable look. "Yes. Our Little Maddie is all grown up now."


    The old nickname made my heart


    wrench. After moved in with the Gildons following my parents'' death, Conrad and Chris took to calling me


    ase


    ''Little Maddie. They meant to me, but I could sense their affection behind it.


    It had been so long since either of them had called me by that nickname.


    "Leave this to them to sort out,


    Conrad," advised gently, my tone et


    softening after hearing the


    ??Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    nickname slip past his lips. "It won''t do you any good to interfere.


    Conrad nodded grimly. "I know."


    He then appraised my face and asked, "Are you sure you''re alright? You can tell me if you need anything. I''ll always be your big brother. I-"


    He was cut off when the door swung open, revealing Brandon on the other side. He was bringing in the takeout and didn''t seem surprised to see Conrad. He even offered the datter a nod of greeting.


    Conrad rose to his feet. "Haven''t you eaten, Maddie?"


    I was about to answer when Brandon did so on my behalf. "She''s about to eat." He was as good as chasing Conrad out of the room. Brandon was a man of few words, and he already looked stoic to begin with. When he spoke, he did not mince words, either.


    "In that case, I''ll leave you to your dinner, Maddie. See you around, Conrad said.


    I didn''t ask him to stay. It would make for an awkward situation now that Brandon was here, too. "Be careful on your way home, Conrad."


    He nodded as his gaze flickered, and when he walked past Brandon to the door, he gave thetter a pointed look.


    No sooner had Conrad left did Brandon ask, "Will you be having dinner in bed or at the table?"


    My limbs were working just fine, so I had no excuse to eat in bed. I made to get out from under the covers. as I answered, "At the table, I guess." Brandon reached me before I could get out of bed and scooped me into his arms instead. I pushed him away to no avail. ¡°I can walk on my own." "What if I said I wanted to carry you?" he countered, his words making blood rush to my cheeks.


    "Oh, by the way, Mr. Howell, there''s something I-¡± At that moment, the door opened. Conrad had returned.

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    A heavy awkwardness descended upon us-except Brandon, who casually set me down on the couch as he said, ¡°Just a moment. Mr. Gildon."


    He did not walk away after that. Instead, he grabbed a dampened towel and wiped my hands


    clean. "Start without me. The oatmeal is still hot, so don''t wolf it down


    Conrad stood at the door, probably feeling as out of ce as he looked. I said self-consciously, "Okay, I got it."


    I couldn''t get Brandon to leave me be and head to the door fast enough.


    Still, Brandon did not join Conrad by the door until he had opened all the takeout containers and set the utensils down before me. For all the indulgend Indeed, Conrad was stone-


    faced as he watched Brandon fuss over me like a doting boyfriend. I wondered what he made of it, considering his feelings for me.


    Finally, Brandon walked up to him and asked, ¡°Is something the matter, Mr. Gildon?"


    Conrad stepped away from the door after that, and I couldn''t hear their exchange outside. When Brandon returned to the


    room three minutester, his expression, as nd as ever, revealed nothing.


    Seeing as I couldn''t make out if the exchange had been good or bad, I asked between spoonfuls of oatmeal, "What did Conrad want to see you for?" "Something trivial," Brandon answered, but I knew he was humoring me. He sensed my skepticism and added, "He made me an offer."


    I was surprised. "An offer? For what, a position in Gildon Corporation?"


    Conrad was only an executive director at Gildon Corporation. Last I checked, talent poaching was a task that strictly fell within human resources or the If that were the case, why would Conrad tell me all about Chris'' downfall earlier? Had he been testing me or trying to see if I had any objection? "He didn''t specify," Brandon said as he sat down. "He just wanted to know what I thought of it."


    I stirred my oatmeal absentmindedly. "And what did you say?"


    "No," Brandon replied, his answer simple and direct.


    I couldn''t helpughing, which earned me an incredulous look from him.


    "Why are youughing?"


    *Because you''re adorable with your straightforward answers," I praised.


    Blood rushed to the tips of his ears as he handed me a piece of tbread. "You can''t go around calling grown men adorable."


    "What should I call them, then?" I teased, grinning fiendishly. "Can''t I say you''re adorable?*


    Brandon''s throat bobbed. "It''s fine if you say it to me, but not to any other guy.


    I froze. I understood why Brandon


    had blushed when I called him


    adorable. As he handed me another piece of tbread, I took it and brushed my fingers against bis. "You''re possessive, aren''t you?"


    He understood what I meant and said, "Only to you.


    Shameless, sweet-talking flirt.


    I took a bite of the tbread, its savory taste awakening my tastebuds. As delicious as it was, it tasted nothing like the ones my mother used to make. I knew no two things in this world were identical. Now that my mother was gone, I would never get to taste her tbread again.


    "How is it?" Brandon asked.


    I hummed in response, mostly so he wouldn''t be brought down by my turbulent emotions.


    I finished the oatmeal and the tbread. During dinner, Brandon supplied an endless stream of


    conversation. He talked to me until the grief and shock I felt upon reading about my parents'' case finally waned.


    "Brandon, can we go home?" I asked.


    He appraised me for a moment. "Are you sure you''re alright?"


    ¡°I am. Besides, I don''t want to stay here,¡± I said like a stubborn child.


    "Fine, we''ll leave after you finish dinner," he relented.


    Iughed, only for him to shoot me a warning look. "Don''tugh while eating, or you''ll choke."


    "Does that mean I can''t speak, too?" I asked yfully.


    "In principle, yes," Brandon answered, his response reminding me that he had once served in the military.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    "If you''re so full of principles, why


    don''t you put me in my ce?" I was asking for trouble, but beyond that, I was hoping Brandon would rise to the bait and put me in my ce the way I liked.

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    Brandon sighed. "Because you''re the only person who can make me abandon all my principles."


    His sweet-talking was impressive and effortless. He even sounded like he wasmenting on the weather while he was at it. He was telling me he loved me without actually using the word "love".


    My eyes stung. Chewing on my tbread, I said incoherently, "Come here, Brandon."


    "Why?" Brandon asked, giving me a baffled look.


    "Stop asking questions and do as you''re told," I said stubbornly without exining.


    He rose to his feet and came over. He had just sat down when I leaned forward and put my head on his shoulder. He stiffened under me, and I said, "F Brandon chuckled lightly, and my lips curled with a covert smile as well.


    After dinner, we left the hospital and went home. When Brandon had tucked me into bed, I asked, "Will you be sleeping here or in your room tonight?"


    "Here," he answered without hesitation.


    Images of him doing push-ups and taking cold showers at midnight shed through my mind. Wincing, I pressed my lips into a hard line and warned, "Fine, but you can''t do push-ups in the middle of the night."


    His cheeks flushed when he heard this, and he bit out, "Don''t bring that up again."


    I burrowed into his embrace and wrapped my arms around his waist. "I won''t if you don''t do it."


    Brandon swallowed. "Mae, stop it."


    ¡°Having a hard time controlling yourself?" I teased boldly, wickedly.


    I felt his grip tighten on my waist.


    "Behave yourself, Mae. And stop... teasing me." His voice had turned low and hoarse as he growled thest two words.


    "Do you want it, Brandon?" I asked. I didn''t bother with decency at this point.


    "Mae..."


    I lifted his T-shirt with one hand and snaked the other under it, my fingers grazing warm skin.


    His voice had turned dangerously gravelly as he groaned. "Mae."


    I rose to my tiptoes and whispered into his ear, all the while pressing myself against the hard nes of his body, "I''m all better now."


    Brandon froze. I had recovered, but he seemed skeptical, and that kept him from responding to my


    advances.


    I wondered what hade over me. I was like a


    thing possessed, my excitement at his restraint turning into feral delight when I saw the beads of sweat


    breaking out over his temples and the throbbing vein near his hairline.


    ¡°Mae, let''s just wait a bit, all right? You might not be fully well yet, and even if you are, we should be safe and wait a while longer." Brandon reasoned with me, though I knew he could barely keep his hands off me.


    I shook my head. "No, I want it now."This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    "Mae..."


    "The more you say no, the more I want it," I purred.


    Brandon made no reply and simply pinned me with a long, hard stare. My heart was thundering in my chest like a sinner in church.


    e


    A momentter, my body was a weightless thing as he scooped me into his arms and carried me up. Knowing I had gotten away with my wickedness, I slumped over his shoulder and giggled diabolically. I suddenly thought about the two youngdies at the office today who were gossiping about him. Reaching up to brush my fingers over his hickey, I asked, "I heard you were parading through all the


    departments today. Were you trying to show off your mark?"


    "Something like that," Brandon said, his breathbored.


    "What do you mean?" I was being carried into the bathroom.


    "I wasn''t showing off as much as I was informing the others,¡± he exined as he set me down on the sink counter.


    I had yet to notice anything amiss. ¡°Informing them of what?"


    ove


    He leaned forward, trapping me between his glorious body and the bathroom wall. My skin tingled as his warmy breath spilled over my corbones. My blood practically sang at his rough voice and flickering gaze. "Informing those who might be interested in me that


    I''m already taken." Content belongs


    to NovelDrama.Org


    Iughed again, unapologetically. I wasn''t mocking Brandon. Rather, I was moved by his words. This was the first time a man had ever told me such things and openly epted my im of them.


    Brandon did not stop me from giggling. By the time I stopped, he grabbed my cor, and only then did I realize we were in the bathroom.


    It seemed he had chosen a different location for our second time.

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    ?


    By the time I was wrapped up in a towel and carried back to bed, I realized I was perhaps a subus Indeed. I also discovered, once again, that Bran trained principles were unshakeable. For all Brandon did was give me a bath and nothing else.


    I had tested his boundaries before, but I hated losing and did not stop provoking him. "I bet you just can''t get it up, Brandon."


    That had to be the final straw. No man could remain calm in the face of such a direct insult to their manhood. s, Brandon was no ordinary man, and from you. Don''t try to provoke me because it won''t work."


    He saw through my filthy thoughts and lust-driven schemes.


    "That''s very hurtful of you to say," I grumbled, pouting as I pulled the covers over me in disappointment.


    He pried the covers away from my face and reassured me gently, "It''s not that I can''t get it up or that you aren''t attractive. I just don''t want to hurt you, so I''d rather wait until you''ve fully recovered."


    I blushed. "And what if I never recover? Are you going to take an oath of celibacy then?"


    Brandon''s lips curled in amusement. "Even if the oath is eternal, yes."


    I stared at him incredulously, pulled the covers over my head, andN?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    refused to speak to him again. However, he pulled me into his arms, nket and all.


    "I won''t let that happen. I promise," Brandon murmured!


    My face warmed. He nted soft,zy kisses on me as he said in a low, hoarse voice, "Wait here. I''m going to take a shower."


    I bet it was a cold shower.


    No sooner had the thought crossed my mind did Brandon volunteer the rification, albeit jokingly, "A cold shower."


    I was speechless. Unshakeable principles indeed. He would sooner catch hypothermia than hurt me.


    My nose prickled as I called out to Brandon''s retreating figure, "Brandon?"


    He turned around. "Yes?"


    "You''re really, really good in bed," I said, then stuck my tongue out and hid myself under the covers before he caught me blushing.


    He chuckled. "I know."


    I had fallen asleep when he returned to bed, worn out from my episode this afternoon, even though Brandon had soothed my turbulent emotions


    from when I learned the gravity of


    my parents'' ident. Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    I slept soundly through the night, and I wondered if it was because I had Brandon sleeping next to me. I was surprised to wake to the morning light


    even more so when I noticed Brandon reading next to me. He would usually be off to his morning workout by now.


    I concluded that he was a man of many faces, and each of them was surprising. It also set him apart from everyone else in my life.


    I did not disturb him and merely watched him silently A few minutes passed before he turned and met my gaze.


    "Good morning," he said, setting down his book and brushing his thumb across my forehead.


    Feeling like an infant who had just been awakened by her parents, I snuggled closer to him and asked, "Why are you reading instead of working out?"


    ¡°I didn''t want you to wake up and find me missing,¡± he exined indulgently.


    I knew he didn''t want to leave me alone in case I had a nightmare and woke up in a panic. I propped myself up just enough to snuggle in hisp. "You''re the best guy I''ve ever met, Brandon. The very best."


    "Noted," Brandon answered without much enthusiasm.


    "I justplimented you and put you on a pedestal. Can''t you at least try to sound happy?" I protested. "Thank you for the generous praise, Mrs. Howell," he drawled. Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    Blushing furiously, I whined, "No one said anything about being your wife! I never agreed to marry you. Besides, you never proposed!" "Okay," was all he said.


    "Will you stop with the deadpan responses?"


    It seemed I was saddled with supplying the conversation between us, seeing as Brandon was a man of such few words. And even when he did try to k

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    ?


    "I''ll keep that in mind," Brandon replied, still deadpan as ever.


    I snorted, half in amusement and half in annoyance. I''m starting to understand why you were single for the better part


    of your life. You have such a... dry personality."


    "A dry personality? You think so, too?" Brandon asked softly.


    I figured his intelligence failed him when it came to love. I gave an exasperatedugh. "What I''m saying is, you''re so straight-


    laced that you don''t really know how to talk to a woman, much less cajole her."


    He paused, then said, "To my understanding, cajoling implies a certain degree of maniption."


    Another straightced, albeit unique, answer that left me speechless. Before I could exin, he asked, "Is that what you want from me? Cajoling?"


    All women liked it when men indulged in their whims and cajoled them when necessary, but it had to be done out of love. Chris, for one, had done it ou


    "No, just stick to your methods," I said, burrowing into his embrace. "Your quirks are endearing."


    "Would you say yes if I proposed?" Brandon asked, suddenly steering the topic back to my usation earlier.


    never considered it, and I was so stunned by his sudden question that I blurted instinctively, "I wouldn''t know, seeing as you haven''t proposed."


    As soon as I said this, Brandon grabbed my wrist and gently tugged my hand out from under


    the covers. He gently toyed with my fingers as he murmured, "Mae, will you marry me?"


    I giggled. "Is this your idea of a proposal?"


    "Yes and no," he replied. His vague answer made me want to punch him.


    I never expected to be proposed to like this. I always thought Chris would be the one to propose to me but now, Brandon was


    lying next to me and asking me for my hand.


    It made me think of how Chris had invited me to the amusement park not too long ago. He had wanted to propose to me there, but I never went. The s up waster photographed and put up on the inte.


    Theizens brushed it off as an amusement park event, but I knew Chris had set it up to propose to me.


    "You must think I''m really gullible if you believe you could win me over so easily," I drawled.


    "You didn''t even get a ring or flowers ready. Where''s the grand, romantic gesture was cut off when Brandon lifted my hand, and my gaze fell on


    the fingers he had been toying with earlier. Content belongs to


    I stared at the shimmering gold band that now adorned my slender ring finger. My eyes darted to Brandon in rm, then back at the ring on my finger. I swore he did not just slip that ring on, which meant...


    "I put it onst night. I asked you if I could put it on for you, and you nodded," Brandon confessed, finishing my train


    of thought and leaving me speechless.


    "That doesn''t count as a proposal, Brandon! It''s not fair for you to pull something like that while I was asleep!" I protested, hitting his shoulder.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    "I know, so I figured I could ask you now." His thumb grazed the ring on my finger. "Will you marry me?"


    Straightced, sweet-talking blockhead.


    If I said yes immediately, I might look desperate. As such, I grimaced at the ring he had sneakily slipped


    onto my finger and groused, "Come on, Brandon, are you seriously proposing to me with this old thing? Did you dig it out from your family''s antique collection or something?"


    Brandon was silent for a few seconds. He then said, "Yes. The ring was my mother''s. She told me to save it for the woman I''d marry."


    I froze. Guilt crashed over me as I said, "I''m sorry. I was joking. The ring is just a little-"


    "It''s fine," he interrupted. "Think of it as a gift from my mom. I have another ring prepared."


    I let out a breath of relief. ¡°In that case, I''ll say yes after you give me the ring.¡±


    "So it''s a tentative yes?" Brandon asked, chuckling.


    I pouted. I wanted to say no, but I didn''t want him to take it the wrong way. So I huffed and snapped, I''m not giving you an answer. I can''t until you give me the ring!" Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    ¡°Stubborn, wicked thing." He lowered his head and kissed me after chiding me.


    I was losing myself in the kiss when Brandon''s phone rang. He let me go, much to my dismay, and his breathing was rough.


    My face was flushed, and I half-rasped, "Answer the call."


    He caressed my face and reached for his phone on the nightstand. When he saw the caller ID, he did not pick up and instead silenced the call.

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    I asked, "Why didn''t you pick up?"


    "I will," Brandon answered nonchntly. "I''ll go out and take the call. As for you, it''s about time you get out of bed and wash up for breakfast."


    I blinked in surprise. "You made breakfast?"


    I thought he had been sleeping next to me the entire time, but he actually got up and made breakfast at one point. He probably came back to bed when he saw that I was still sleeping and decided to do some bedside reading.


    I should have expected such disciplined behavior from someone who demanded excellence of himself.


    "I made you banana pancakes and yogurt to make up for the electrolytes you lost," Brandon borated, stroking my hair. It felt


    nice to be pampered like I was the most important person in the world to him.


    Brandon left the room to take the call. I pulled my hand out from under the covers and stared at the ring that now adorned my finger. I snapped a pictu


    I stayed under the covers and scrolled through my social media for a while before deciding to get up. When I noticed Brandon still speaking on the phone, I padded into the bathroom to wash up.


    Only upon entering the bathroom did I realize that the ointment Lisa had prescribed me was down to half a


    tube. I frowned. Last I checked, I barely used a quarter of it.


    Had Brandon used it on me instead? But when? While I was asleep?


    At once, blood rushed to my face, and my body went taut.


    "I don''t hear the water running," Brandon suddenly said from the door.


    The only way I could hide my embarrassment was to pretend I hadn''t noticed anything amiss, so I sang teasingly, "That''s because I''m waiting for you


    Brandon froze, and I saw his throat bob. I could tell I had stirred something within him. By "something¡°, I meant his most primal urges.


    I didn''t want to over-exert myself so early


    in the day, so I pretended that I hadn''t sensed the shift in his behavior and looked away from him. As I hurried to wash up, I said, "Better get my pancakes ready, or I''ll bete."


    "You won''t," Brandon replied.


    "Do you see the time, my dear? It''ste," I pointed out sardonically.


    "Our flight''s at 10:00 am. We can still make it," Brandon said breezily.


    I froze at his words. I had been looking at him through the mirror, but I was so shocked at that moment that I whirled to pin him with an incredulous look. "Sorry, what did you-did you just say ''our flight''? Flight to where? Are we going on a business trip?"


    "Sure," Brando


    replied as he turned on his heels and left to te my breakfast.


    Baffled, I went after him and demanded, "Now, hold on just a second! I need a little more detail here. Where are we going? Why wasn''t I informed of th "Didn''t Mr. Roulder tell you about this?" Brandon asked.


    2/2


    I blinked. I vaguely remembered Xander telling me to clear the work I had on hand. Nodding slowly, I said, "He did.¡±


    "Well, this is it," Brandon said.


    I couldn''t understand what was happening. What was it?


    I rified, ¡°But he never mentioned where I would be going or that I would be traveling with you!"


    A faint smile curved Brandon''s lips.


    ??¡¯


    "Since you''re traveling with me, I believe I get to decide where we go." What he said would have been sweet if it weren''t so out of the blue. I was about to argue when he raised a hand and brushed the damp hair curling at my temples. "D your face and have your breakfast." Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    He entered the kitchen after that, leaving me gaping after him like an idiot.


    However, I dropped the matter and continued washing up. I even dabbed on some makeup before leaving the bathroom.


    While I was getting ready, Brandon


    had ted my breakfast and was waiting for me while reading the news on his tablet. He was impossibly patient, and he did not once rush me even though I tended to take my time in the bathroom. He didn''t snap at me, either


    I nced at the time and noted it was 8:00 am, Brandon told me the flight was at 10:00 am, and it was a half-hour car ride to the airport from here. We had to arrive at the airport at least 40 minutes in advance, and we hadn''t even eaten breakfast yet.


    We were cutting it pretty close at this point.


    Suspecting this might be a prank, I asked tentatively, "Brandon, are we


    really going on a business trip?" "It''s not really a business trip. I just needed you toe with me," Brandon said. He


    was deliberately keeping me guessing.


    I sat across him and eyed the mouth-watering fruit tter before me. I speared a fruit cube and popped it


    into my mouth, pressing, ¡°Will you please tell me where we''re going?"


    Brandon locked his tablet and picked up his utensils. ¡°We''re going to pick up Ellie.¡±


    My eyes nearly bugged out of my head. He noted my surprise and chuckled. "You were the one who told me to have her fly in sooner."Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.

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    I did tell Brandon that, but what did a personal matter have to do with a business trip?


    As if sensing my confusion, Brandon rified, ¡°I told Mr. Roulder."


    "Oh," I said.


    I didn''t think there was anything odd about this until I had eaten a few mouthfuls of pancakes.


    "Wait, when


    did you and Mr. Roulder, get so friendly? You''re telling me he agreed to let me take time off just because you asked, after which he came and politely me about a business trip?"


    Brandon slowly chewed his food and swallowed. "We''re not that friendly."


    I sputtered. "Could have fooled me. Why do I feel like he owes you a favor or something?"


    If I didn''t know better, I would think Xander was intimidated by Brandon, for he could never say no to thetter.


    "Something like that," Brandon replied. "He needs me to develop new products for thepany and fatten up his purse, which


    is why he''s so eager to please me."


    Conceited prick, I thought but did not say aloud. I supposed Brandon''s arrogance was warranted, considering


    his vital role in thepany. It wasn''t so much arrogance as it was confidence in his abilities. "Aren''t we running a littlete, Brandon?" I asked after b


    ¡°No. We can always postpone the date of signing," he said, ever the


    unreasonably indulgent boyfriend. Even I was baffled by his attitude. "Brandon, how are you so patient with me? You''re not even rushing me." "As a ge pulling one of his suave, sweet-talker moves again.


    I grew uneasy and quickly packed my things, though I groused, "You could have given me a heads-


    upst night, you know. I could have at least gotten my things ready in advance."


    "You didn''t exactly give me a chance to tell you, remember?"


    His words brought the memories ofst night skittering through my mind. My face warmed, and to my credit, I kept my mouth shut.


    Brandon chuckled as he watched me pack in a flurry, remarking calmly, "Take your time packing. If you leave anything behind, I can always get it for you when we''re there."N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    "Well, if you''d told me that earlier, I would have packed lighter!" I said exasperatedly.


    He did not bristle and instead pointed out, "I like seeing you pack."


    When I gaped at him, he added with a shrug, "I get to see a heartwarming side of you."


    I froze. I knew that intrinsically, men found women the most attractive when they went through the prosaic day-to-day of running a household and that makeup, clothes, and the ability to flirt were just bonuses.


    However, Brandon had never let me do any housework before this. I reckoned my bustling around and packing reminded him of his mother. Brandon and I got to the airport in time. It was only after I received my boarding pass that I was certain this business trip was happening, even as it felt like a fever dream,


    "Does Ellie know we''re going to pick her up?" I asked, thinking about Ellie in her long, teal dress.


    "I didn''t tell her.''


    Ellie''s illness came to mind. "Are you worried she might get too worked up and send her system into overdrive?"


    Brandon kissed my forehead upon hearing my words. "You seem to know me a little better each day, Mae.


    I put my hand on his chest, right over


    his heart, like 1 was affirming his statement. He chuckled as I leaned against him, and he wrapped an arm around me while we waited in the boarding hall.


    Just as we were cuddling in the waiting area, caught a familiar figure through my peripheral vision It was none other than Chris, and he was dragging his suitcase along. From the looks of it, he was going abroad.


    I thought about what Conrad told me. If Chris and Zack had gotten into a heated fight, did his presence at the airport mean he had cut off ties with the Gildon family and decided to go abroad on his own?


    "What''s wrong?" Brandon asked, sensing my distraction.


    I looked away from Chris'' figure and shook my head. "Nothing."


    Brandon did not believe me. "Do you feel unwell?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± I insisted just as my phone rang. I put the call through and greeted, "Hello?"


    An unfamiliar male voice sounded on the other line. "Hi, is this Ms. Madeline Crown?"

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    ?


    "This is she. Who''s on the line?" I asked as I furtively nced in Chris'' direction.


    He didn''t appear to have seen me. I watched him walk toward a nearby empty chair and sat down.


    "I''m Agent A8338 from Forever and Always


    Insurance Co. I''m calling to inform you that the couple''s insurance you and Mr. Chris Gildon bought four years ago has matured. We''ll need to verify s you before we can proceed."


    My skin prickled at this, and I instinctively looked at Brandon. He had been


    holding me close since we sat down, but he left to give me privacy after I picked up the call. He


    was always so considerate with me, giving me the sense of security and space I needed.


    The insurance agent on the other line asked, ¡°Ms. Crown, could you enlighten us on your current situation with Mr. Gildon? Are you married, or are you still in the dating stage?"This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    I couldn''t help ncing at Chris yet again, only to see him engaged on the phone and frowning. "Ms. Crown, are you still there?" the agent prompted when I did not reply.


    I gulped. "Yes, I''m still here. We..."


    I was about to say we broke up when I caught Christ, who had not


    so much as looked in my direction since he appeared in my line of vision, ncing at me.


    I couldn''t run or hide even if I wanted to.


    Just like that, Chris and I met each other''s gaze across the distance of the boarding hall. Whatever words I had been about to say curdled on my tongue.


    "Ms. Crown?" the agent prompted again.


    I didn''t know what came over me, but I demanded hotly, "Why don''t you ask Mr. Gildon?"


    "We''ve reached out to him. Another one of our agents is verifying the information with him right now."


    Upon hearing this response, I knew Chris was speaking to another agent from Forever and Always Insurance Co.


    I should have known the world would find some way to deliver a cruel joke in the guise of a coincidence.


    I swallowed, my throat as dry as the desert as I croaked, "Mr. Gildon and I have broken up."


    "Are you certain?" The agent''s question made me want to punch him.


    I tore my gaze away from Chris'' silhouette across the hall and nced at Brandon. Looked at the ring on my finger and muttered, "I''m married.¡± The agent was silent for a moment. "Very well, Ms. Crown. We''ll await Mr. Gildon''s response on the matter. If everything checks out, then your joint insurance will be terminated ording to the terms and conditions of the policy."


    ¡°Okay, great," I said, anxious to hang up.


    However, the agent seemed intent on drawing out my agony. "We


    wish you a happy and fulfilling marriage, Ms. Crown. May we interest you and your husband in a married couple''s insurance policy? The investment st year minimum, and the longer you stayed married, the greater the yield-"


    "No, thanks!" I said, cutting her off before she rambled on.


    "But Ms. Crown, the insurance-" the agent argued. It seemed like I was saddled with a pesky one.


    I did not give her the chance to continue and interrupted her sharply, "Can your insurance policy guarantee a long-


    lasting marriage? One that is true to your name, forever and always?"


    The answer was an outright no, as demonstrated by Chris and I.


    While the agent was stumped, I hung up. When I looked up again, I noticed Chris was no longer engaged on the phone. However, he was still staring


    I looked away from him and walked up to Brandon. He reached for my hand with natural ease, his fingers intertwined with mine.


    "It was from an insurance agent


    asking me if td be interested in one of their couples'' policies. The longer you''re married or stay in love, the more the benefits. By the time the policy matures, you stand to redeem a huge premium," I exined, wondering if Brandon would show any interest.


    He pointed out. "It''s just a sales gimmick."


    "But plenty of lovers and married couples have purchased these


    sorts of insurance. They probably did it as a testimony of their rtionship," I theorized.


    Brandon snaked an arm around my waist and pinned me with an assessing look. A few secondster, he ordered, "Close your eyes."


    "Why?" I swallowed, wondering if he would kiss me. Chris was nearby. While he and I have ended things, and I didn''t mind disying my affection for Brandon before him, I still felt uneasy about it. "Be good and do as you''re told," Brandon coaxed.

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    ?


    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    I reminded Brandon, "We''re in an airport boarding hall, and there''s a crowd here, including kids."


    Brandon hummed in response. "I know."


    I blushed. "And you still want to-"


    "Yes," he answered without hesitation.


    Upon hearing his unwavering response, I could only assume he had seen Chris across the hall and chalk his


    stubbornness up as an act of jealousy. Perhaps he insisted on kissing me so he could tell Chris to back off.


    At the thought of this, I closed my eyes, my blood pulsing in my ears as I waited for Brandon to kiss me in this crowded boarding hall.


    However, I did not get the kiss I was expecting and instead ended up with a weight in my hands. I opened my eyes and looked down to see a small pouch in my hand.


    "What is this?" I asked, blinking in surprise.


    Brandon jerked his chin at the pouch, silently prompting me to open it.


    I opened the pouch slowly and saw two bank cards lying within, along with a red card and a certificate of sorts. I realized the certificate was Brandon''s Certificate of Honorable Discharge from the military, while the red card was his blood donor card.


    I couldn''t wrap my head around his gesture. "Why are you giving me these?"


    Brandon took out the certificate and exined, "This is proof that I have been tried, tested, and forged in steel, a testimony that far exceeds anything promised by an insurance policy.


    "As for this donor card, it''s proof that my blood runs red and my heart beats true. The two bank cards contain all my savings."


    I had only ever read about such gestures in novels where the male lead proved his loyalty to his love. interest by handing over


    his entire fortune. I couldn''t believe Brandon was pulling the same stunt, though he not only handed me his fortune but his belief system, too.


    I stared at the donor card and felt my nose prickle. "Brandon, why are you giving me these?"


    "To prove to you that these are worth more than a mere couple''s insurance," he borated. For some reason, the way he said this made me feel like h


    However, that didn''t matter. What mattered was that he was willing to give me everything he had.


    "I''ll keep these two," I said, referring to the donor card and the certificate. ¡°You can keep the bank cards.¡±


    was no money-grubber. If money meant that much to me, I would never have broken up with Chris in the first ce.


    Brandon did not take back the cards. There was color on his cheeks as he confessed, "I don''t think there''s enough money in there for Ellie''s treatment."


    I froze, then broke into a smallugh. "Oh, are you asking me for a loan?"


    He sped my hands tightly. "I''m sorry, Mae."


    Iughed again, not at all caring that I was being too loud. My


    el


    amusement left Brandon perplexed, and he demanded, "What are youughing at? Is my destitution so


    endearing that you''dugh about it?"


    Iughed even harder. I didn''t think he would crack a joke like that. Nodding, I half-wheezed, "Yes, you''re endearing even when you''re poor."


    "Mae..."


    "You know, Brandon," I said through thest bout ofughter. "I thought you might have some kind of plot armor at first."


    "Plot armor? What are you talking about?" Brandon gave me a bewildered look.


    "You know how there''s someone in


    the top brass whosest name is also Howell? I thought it was you at first I said, exining the old conjecture I had about him.


    He stared at me. ¡°And you''ve changed your mind since then?"


    I nodded. ¡°Well, yeah. You can''t even afford Ellie''s surgery, let alone have enough money or power to invest in Xander."


    l.ne


    Brandon fell silent while I continued "But I do think the director who shares yourst name is rather odd.


    I thought my work privilege


    thanks to him.


    all


    "But after seeing how Xander treats you, I reckoned he was only rewarding me for my hard work. I probably read too much between the lines."


    When Brandon made no reply, I tugged on his arm and asked, "What''s wrong? Why aren''t you saying anything?"


    "Mae," he said hoarsely. "You hate people who lie to you with passion, right?"

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    ?


    What a silly question! Who in their right mind would tolerate being lied to? I stared at Brandon and probed, "Why do you ask? Are you nning to lie to before saying slowly, "No."


    I couldn''t tell if he meant it, but I made my stance on lying very clear. "Brandon, I don''t tolerate lies."


    He swallowed. "Got it."


    Now that I had drawn the line, he could not me me for any ultimatum I might throw if I caught him lying to me one day.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    At


    that moment, an announcement came on at the boarding hall, reporting that one of the international flights was ready for boarding. I immediately thoug


    Why would he go abroad? Was it a business trip or something else?


    "Mae, we have to go," Brandon prompted, pulling me out of my thoughts.


    "Oh, right," I said, snapping back to reality as I nced at him.


    I couldn''t help feeling uneasy. Thest thing I wanted was for Brandon to use me of stealing nces at Chris, even if my concern for thetter was not out of love but curiosity.


    However, if Brandon had caught me looking at Chris, he did notment. That made me feel even more uneasy, and guilt made me reach for his han We went through security and boarded the ne without a hitch. Before turning off my phone for the flight, I saw a new text that went unread. It was fr


    I remembered how I used to send him the same text every time he went on a business trip, though I stopped after he


    came home one day and disparaged me for it. "Can''t you switch up the way you text every once in a while?


    "Safe flight seems a littlezy and tacky after a while. Don''t bother texting if you can''t think of something clever or creative."


    I hadn''t sent him anything since.


    Safe flight. The words sprang up from the screen at me. Granted, it was one of the mostmon well wishes one could offer a traveling loved one, but it contained my greatest wish.


    Since my parents'' ident, I had feared saying goodbye to the people around me. I didn''t want to say goodbye to them, believing that if I did, I might never see them again.


    And yet, Chris had dismissed my messages with outright contempt. So, I stopped sending him the text before his trips.


    Who would''ve thought he would throw the same words back at me after so long?


    It was so ironic that I ignored it and turned off my phone. Brandon followed suit, so solemn and quiet that I wondered what was on his mind.


    I leaned my head against his shoulder and murmured, "Safe flight, Brandon."


    He beamed and rubbed his cheek against the top of my head. "Safe flight."


    "There''s something I haven''t told you, Brandon," I began carefully. I could never keep a secret, and there were a few things I figured I ought to I I talk to him about. I couldn''t expect him to be honest with me if didn''t do the same.


    S


    "All right. You don''t have to tell me if you don''t want to," Brandon said to keep me from feeling uneasy or jittery.


    I huffed. "But I want to tell you now."


    "Then I''m all ears," he dered.


    I could haveughed at him. ¡°Do you know what you''re like, Brandon?"


    "What?"


    "You''re like a solid rock. Nothing ever fazes you or knocks you down," I said, my words making his lips curl in amusement.


    "You know, if you wanted to knock


    me down, I''d happily stay beneath you," Brandon teased, fixing his gaze on me. I did not miss the wicked humorin his eyes and found myself thinking about the unspeakable things we did the other night.

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    ?


    Was Brandon cracking a dirty joke? He looked so serious while he was at it, too!


    All this while, I thought he was a by-the-book, old-fashioned gentleman. Between the two of us, he was the no- nonsense type, while my mind was constantly in the gutter.


    "You could try it if you don''t believe me," Brandon teased, his gaze piercing into my soul and making my face warm.


    I pinched him and said primly, "I won''t tell you if you won''t listen to me."


    "All right, I''m listening."


    I stared out the window and ryed to him what Conrad had told me at the hospitalst night. Having heard all that, he asked, "Are you worried?"


    "Yes, but not about Chris. I''m worried about thepany," I said immediately, making my position clear.


    "I know," he murmured as he rubbed his cheek against the top of my head. "You probably think things are turning moreplicated than you expected, huh?"


    It was as if he had read my mind.


    Brandon continued, "Your worries are justified. It could also be that this is all part of Conrad''s n."


    My eyes widened at the usation. I knew Conrad. He had always been the caring and indulging big brother who let me and Chris have our way. That hadn''t changed even after we became adults.


    He even left the country four


    years ago. Besides, he said it himself after his recent return that if he had wanted thepany that badly, he would never have left.


    "Maybe he wasn''t maniptive before, but that doesn''t mean he won''t change," Brandon pointed out slowly. "You know less about men than you think, Mae.


    I couldn''t deny that. "Then exin it to me from a man''s point of view, please."N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    "Conrad likes you, right?" Brandon cut to the chase.


    "Yes, but I didn''t know about it before. I only knew about it after his recent trip back," I said frankly.


    "He''s liked you for a long time, probably around the same time Chris fell for you, if not sooner. I''m pretty sure he likes you as much as Chris does," Brandon continued. He sounded certain.


    I did not interrupt him and let him continue.


    "He left for a couple of years, didn''t he?"


    "Four years,¡± I rified. I counted the years and added, ¡°I think he left around the time Chris and I went official."


    Brandon borated, "Exactly. He left


    because you made a choice, and he knew he didn''t stand a chance. So he packed up and left the country, hoping his feelings for you might diminish over time.


    "He probably couldn''t forget about you in the four years he was gone and came back when he learned about your break up. He came back to have a second chance with you."


    I saw the rationale in Brandon''s argument. Chris and I had only just broken up when Conrad announced This return. He even called to check on me w


    I wasn''t so oblivious that I didn''t sense Conrad''s feelings for me, but I was surprised to hear Brandon


    speak of his behavior as if he had experienced it himself. The uracy of his description was impressive, to say the least.


    Going along with Brandon''s theory, I asked, "But he didn''t expect you toe into the picture and beat him tofort me, right?"


    The corner of Brandon''s lips curled as he hummed in confirmation.


    "But what does any of this have to do with the n you mentioned?" I steered the conversation back on track.


    He pointed out, "Youdies have a thing for novels and soap operas, right? The families in those soap operas are highly political and constantly engaged in power struggles, aren''t they?


    "Only one of them can have the legacy, so they would do anything to kick the other siblings out of the picture, even through murder."


    In other words, it was every man for himself, and such was the


    rule of survival. I doubted anyone liked living in another person''s shadow, even if that person was one''s younger brother.


    Conrad had left the family legacy


    and his crush behind four years ago in the guise of altruism. Perhaps the four years had changed him, and now he had returned to take back everything he had lost.


    Suddenly, I felt like I had been used as a pawn.


    My heart sank, and I didn''t feel like talking anymore.


    Just then, a ne zipped down the tarmac for take-off. If I was not mistaken, that was the flight Chris had gotten on. I watched as the ne became a weightless thing


    and took off toward the


    sky. Content belongs to


    QUMS


    I thought about Conrad''s maniption of him and how Zack and Bree had threatened to disown him. For a brief moment, my heart broke for Chris.


    As the ne flew into the distance, I found myself wishing him a safe flight.

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    The ne touched down in the early evening.


    The sunset was breathtaking, like a sky drenched in blood, so stunning it made my heart skip a beat.


    "Brandon, this is the most beautiful sunset I''ve ever seen!" I couldn''t help but exim while we were still on the ne.


    "Me too," Brandon echoed.


    He was always like this, and I had grown used to it.


    It wasn''t until I got into the car and saw his social media post that I noticed the sunset photo he had just taken. The caption read, "Because you''re by my side."


    At first nce, the words seemed unrted to the picture, but when I thought back to what I had said on the ne, it all made sense.


    Combining what I said and what he wrote, it said, "This is the most beautiful sunset I''ve ever seen because you''re by my side." Alright then!Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    If anyone ever imed that Brandon doesn''t know how to show affection, I''d be the first to disagree He was an expert at it. ¡°Brandon, are you back this time to have your wedding banquet?" the man driving the car teased. He was one of Brandon''s friends, already waiting for us when we got off the ne.


    "No, not this time," Brandon replied, his response as nonchnt as ever.


    So, does that mean next time?


    "She sure is beautiful," the man said, sneaking nces at me.


    "Yeah," Brandon responded,pletely at ease.


    200


    One was bold enough to say it, and the other bold enough to agree, but it left me feeling a little embarrassed.


    "Hi, I''m Cam. Cameron Sullivan." The man introduced himself quitefortably.


    I introduced myself just as openly. "I''m Madeline Crown."


    "I know, I know," Cameron


    replied eagerly. "Ellie talks about you all the time. Everyone in the vige knows that Brandon''s girlfriend is named Madeline."


    I hadn''t even recovered from thest bout of embarrassment when he hit me with another.


    Iughed lightly. "Is that so? I guess I won''t need to introduce myself in the future then."


    ¡°No need, no need. A beauty like you? Everyone remembered you thest time you were here."


    Cameron''spliments kepting, each one more difficult for me to respond to than thest. So, I wisely decided to keep quiet.


    However, who would have guessed that Brandon would lean in close and whisper, "Looks like you can handle conversations with Cam quite well."


    With his little fanboy right there, I couldn''t say much, so I pinched him lightly, signaling him to stop teasing me.


    Even though I stayed quiet, Cameron was a chatterbox, talking non-stop about everything. From someone''s pig giving birth to a strange creature that looked like an elephant, to a one meter-long fish someone caught, to who liked who, and which widow was now with which man...


    Thest time I came here with Ellie, I saw the vige as a pristine paradise, untouched and beautiful. Cameron''s stories revealed this


    paradise also had its share of ordinary, messy problems.


    "Stop spreading baseless rumors. Even if they''re true, it''s none of your business. Why gossip about it? Have you forgotten what happened thest time you ran your mouth?" Brandon scolded him. Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    Cameron scratched his head awkwardly. "Brandon, it''s just that I''m so excited to see you. I can''t help but


    tell you everything I know. I swear I''d never say a word to outsiders."


    It was clear that he admired Brandon a lot.


    However, Brandon''s scolding left Cameron a bit embarrassed, so I stepped in to y the


    good guy. ¡°Cam, with your way with words, you must have a girlfriend, right?"


    ¡°No, no." Cameron shook his head. "Madeline, a beautiful woman like you must know lots of greatdies. You could introduce one to me sometime, co He was really direct.


    I didn''t refuse him, replying cheerfully, ¡°Sure."


    Brandon leaned in and whispered, "He''ll take you seriously. From now on, every time he sees you, he''ll ask about it."


    Really?


    I nced at Cameron.


    Was he really that persistent?


    "You didn''t tell Ellie we wereing, did you?" Brandon asked Cameron as we entered the vige.


    "No, Brandon. When you give me the order, I make sure not to let a single word slip," he replied, ncing at me with a smile.

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    When Brandon and I got out of the car, Ellie was lounging on a rocking chair in the yard, engrossed in a book. The breeze slightly lifted the hem of her skirt, creating a scene so dreamlike it felt almost unreal.


    Ellie was so absorbed in her reading that she didn''t notice our car pulling up at the gate until Cameron called, "Ellie, guess who''s here?"


    "Cam, your car sounds like a tractor. I don''t need to look to know it''s you."


    Ellie''s remark made me stifle augh.


    Cameron seemed a bit embarrassed and scratched his head. ¡°It''s not just me. There''s someone else


    here, too."


    Ellie calmly turned a page, continuing to read without even


    acknowledging Cameron. He looked like he wanted to say more, but I shook my head and walked over. Standing behind Ellie, I nced at the book in her hands and smiled. "Haven''t you read this book before?" Thest time I was here, this same book was on Ellie''s nightstand. It was a ssic romance novel.


    Ellie froze, then quickly turned around. When she saw me, her eyes lit up with joy. "Mae!"


    I smiled as she jumped to her feet.


    However, the moment she spotted Brandon behind me, she instantly dropped the book and ran straight to him. ¡°Bran!"


    I watched as the siblings embraced, Brandon gently patting the back of her head. Suddenly, I understood why he was so good at taking care of me. It


    Not wanting to intrude on their moment, I picked up the book Ellie had been reading-it was "Romero and Julia" by


    famous author Terence Shakeswright.


    The yellowed pages and worn edges indicated that this book had been read more


    than once. As someone who never had much interest in romance novels, I suddenly found myself curious about what made this one so captivating to a young girl like Ellie.


    However, just as I turned to the second page, Ellie said, "Mae, you can''t read this book."


    She reached out, trying to take it from me.


    I chuckled. ¡°Why? Does this book hold some secret?"


    Ellie''s face flushed slightly. "No, it''s just that you and my brother are already in love, so this kind of novel isn''t really for you anymore."


    Seeing her shy expression, I teased, "Oh, this is a textbook for a rookie in love like you?"


    "Mae." Ellie pouted, her cheeks turning a deeper shade of red.


    I decided to stop teasing her and handed the book back. Just then Brandon came over and took my hand "Let''s go inside and have a drink."


    §Ú§Þ


    Once inside, Brandon effortlessly prepared tea for me, but Ellie quickly stopped him. "Brandon, I''ll make Mae some crimson lotus tea."


    Crimson lotus tea-what a treat!


    "Bran, I want to eat the delicious smoked sea bass you always make." Ellie didn''t hesitate to ask.


    2/2


    ¡°Alright, I''ll make it for you and Mae," Brandon said, making it clear that he wasn''t forgetting about his girlfriend just because his sister was around. "Mae, the ring you''re wearing... Did my brother give it to you? It looks so familiar." Ellie noticed the ring Brandon had given me.


    "It''s a family heirloom from the Howell family," I said, ncing over at Brandon, who was already busy. preparing dinner. The sun sette in this part of the world, and by the time we finished dinner, it waspletely dark.


    Ellie was thrilled when she found out, we were there to take her with us, and she started packing her things that very night. ¡°Mae, did I forget anything?¡± Ellie asked after packing up.


    I looked at her overflowing suitcase. ¡°I don''t think so, and even if you did, we can always buy whatever''s missing."Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Buying things is a waste of money, and everything where you live is so expensive." Ellie''s words revealed her thrifty nature.


    It made my heart ache a little.


    The girls her age that I knew were always indulging in expensive beverages desserts, and shopping spr¨¦es. None of them knew how to live as frugally as she did. It was true that children from disadvantaged family backgrounds matured faster.


    "No worries, your brother and I earn plenty of money." I tried tofort her.


    Ellie didn''t respond, and I knew she had her principles.


    "Mae, there''s something I want to ask you." Ellie suddenly looked at me with a serious expression.

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    "What is it?" I asked with a smile.


    Ellie bit her lip. "Mae, is my surgery going to cost a lot of money?"


    My heart skipped a beat at her question, worried she might change her mind because of the


    cost. "No, it''s not that much. And don''t worry about the money. Your brother just got a new job as a technical engineer. His sry is quite substantial."


    Ellie remained silent. I moved closer to her. There was a concept in psychology called the "proximity effect". It suggested that sometimes trust wasn''t b


    someone.


    I gently stroked Ellie''s long, silky hair. "The doctor performing your surgery is a senior of one of my friends. He''s incredibly skilled. All you need to do is on getting better. Once the surgery is over, you''ll be healthy again."This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    "Mae." Ellie''s eyes began to shimmer with tears. "You''re so kind."


    I smiled. ¡°Of course. If I weren''t, your brother wouldn''t have liked me for so long."


    Ellie chuckled at that. "Mae, the love between you and my brother is so sweet, just like in the novels."


    Thinking about the romance novels she loves to read, I said, "Once you''re healthy, you can have a sweet love story of your own."


    Ellie''s face turned red, showing that the idea appealed to her.


    After all, what young girl doesn''t dream of love? That was probably why she read the same novel over and over again.


    While Ellie continued packing, I went to look for Brandon. He wasn''t in his room, and I couldn''t find him in the yard either.


    Where did he go?


    Curious, I walked out of the yard and looked around under the moonlight. In the distance, by the river, I saw his figure. Even in the darkness, I could recognize him.


    I used to be able to tell when Chris'' car was


    approaching or recognize his footsteps from afar. Now, I can identify Brandon from a distance. When someone is


    in your heart, everything about them bes a part of you.


    I walked over to him. He was so lost in thought that he didn''t even notice me approaching, so I yfully hugged him from behind.


    Brandon tensed up but softly said, "What brings you here?"


    let out a light hum. "Who am I? How did you know it was me? Why didn''t you think it was one of thedies


    around here who had a crued.


    UMS


    you?"


    on


    My string of jealous questions even made meugh at myself.


    "No one else would dare, and besides..." Brandon paused slightly. "Your scent is unique."


    So I''ve be a part of him, too. He can recognize me by my scent alone.


    I released him and stepped in front of him, looking at his face. "Why are you out here alone? Is something on your mind?" Chapter 312


    ¡°No, just getting some-fresh air,¡± he said, gazing at theke. However, the worried expression on his face gave away his lie.


    I snuggled into his arms. "You''re worried about Ellie, aren''t you?"


    He didn''t respond, confirming my suspicion.


    Even though I had found the best doctor for Ellie, there''s never a 100% guarantee with surgery.


    Brandon, usually so fearless, was


    scared of the unknown and hesitant


    to let Ellie go through with the


    surgery. I understood his fear of loss and that he couldn''t bear the


    thought of losing her. Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    A terrifying thought suddenly crossed my mind. If something were to happen to Ellie during the surgery, Would Brandon me me?


    However, if she didn''t have the surgery, Ellie wouldn''t have long to live.


    "Brandon," whispered, rubbing my face against his chest. "Don''t worry,


    everything will be fine. Let''s pray. I


    together for Ellie. She wille through this safely."


    Brandon''s hand rested on my head. "I know. And I''ve made my peace with it. Whatever happens, I''ll ept it So don''t worry about it."


    I was taken aback. He had even sensed the fleeting thought that crossed my mind.


    "It will be a good oue. It has to be," I murmured.


    "Yeah." Brandon held me close, falling silent once more.

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    We stood


    silently by theke, listening to the sound of the wind rippling across the water. After a while, I started to feel a bit tired, and my body couldn''t stay still "What''s wrong?" Brandon asked,


    "I need to sit down. My legs are getting sore," I admitted.


    Brandon nced around, and before I knew it, I felt myself being lifted as he scooped me up by the waist and carried me toward arge rock nearby. Even though I''m used to him picking me up whenever he feels like it, I still yfully protested, "I can walk on my own."


    "But didn''t you say your legs were sore? How are you going to walk?"


    I stuck my tongue out at him and fell silent.


    Brandon gently set me down, then sat beside me. Just as I was about to snuggle up to him, he extended his arm, pulling me onto hisp.


    What was this move?


    The question had barely crossed my mind when he leaned in and whispered in my ear.


    "The rock''s cold."


    Could there be a boyfriend more thoughtful than Brandon?


    Maybe. However, I believed there was no one better than him.


    "Thank you, my dear boyfriend," I said, tilting my head up to nt a kiss on him as a gesture of appreciation.


    As soon as my lips touched his, something felt off. A faint taste of tobo lingered in the air, making me freeze mid-kiss.


    Brandon had been smoking!


    So that was why he came out to the riverside alone-to smoke.


    Sensing my hesitation, Brandon quietly said, "I won''t smoke again. Today was thest time."


    I shook my head. "It''s okay."


    He looked at me, his dark eyes even deeper than the night around us.


    I gently


    brow. "I don''t mind if you smoke.df you


    334shed my hand over his


    sto, go ahead. Just don''tOwned by N?velDrama.Org.


    too much. It''s bad for your


    ."" Content belongs to


    As I said that, I felt a sudden pang of sadness, thinking about my parents'' car ident. "Brandon, you''re the closest person I have now, so you have to take care of yourself Stay healthy and be with me until


    we''re old."


    A lifetime feels long, but I found myself looking forward to it.


    He swallowed hard.


    Thinking about my parents


    reminded me of the ident report. I never finished reading it. I only got through the first half. I never looked at the final assessments or O conclusions. Content belongs to


    "Brandon, did you read the report from my parents'' car ident?" I asked, lying in his arms.


    Brandon''s grip on me tightened, and after a moment, he spoke softly, "It''s in the past. Let''s not talk about it anymore."


    I thought he was worried I''d react like I didst time. "I''m not as scared as I was."


    Even though I said that, I had no desire to look at those photos again, so I asked Brandon, "Just tell me."


    "Tell you what?" he asked in a low voice.


    "What was the reason behind my parents'' car ident?"


    Brandon fell silent, and my heart skipped a beat with unease. I looked up at him. ¡°Why aren''t you saying anything? Is there something wrong?"


    He looked down at me, his gaze flickering.


    I held my breath. "Brandon."


    "There was an issue with the car itself."


    I frowned slightly at his answer. "What kind of issue?"


    Brandon opened his mouth but didn''t say anything. Remembering what Bree had mentioned, I asked


    . directly, "Was it the brakes?"

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    Brandon narrowed his eyes, and I instinctively tightened my grip on him. "Is that true?"


    "Why would you say that?" he asked, turning the question back on me.


    I was about to tell him that Bree had mentioned it when Ellie''s voice called out from afar. ¡°Maddie, your phone''s been ringing nonstop!"


    She was running toward us as she spoke, but with her heart condition, she shouldn''t be running at all.


    "Okay, I got it," I said as I quickly stood up from Brandon''sp and rushed over to Ellie.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    The call was from Bree, and she had called several times. It seemed like there was something urgent.


    "Bree," I answered the phone.


    "Maddie, why didn''t you pick up? I was starting to worry something had happened!" Bree''s voice was filled with concern.


    "No, I just didn''t have my phone with me."


    Bree let out a sigh of relief. "You had me imagining all sorts of terrible things."


    "I''ll make sure to keep it with me next time." I promised her, then asked, "Bree, is there something you need?"


    "I''m absolutely furious," Bree said.


    I smiled softly. "Who''s upset you this time? Was it Zack?"


    "If he did, I''d clobber him." Bree''s fierce tone came through as she said, "It''s Chris, that bastard."


    Lisa was right. Even though Chris and I were no longer involved, the Gildon family was still in the picture, which meant Chris'' name would inevitablye up in my life.


    "What did he do this time?" I asked.


    "He''s cut ties with us for that woman, and now he''s up and left." Bree''s voice trembled with anger. She was clearly at her wits end.


    However, Conrad mentioned Zack wanted to sever ties with Chris.


    I knew what had caused this rift, so I didn''t press for details. Instead, I tried to soothe her. "Bree, he''s probably just angry and needs some time to cool off."


    ¡°No, it''s more than that. He''s already made arrangements with Conrad. He''s dead set on nevering back and cutting all ties with the Gildon family."


    Bree''s words made me frown slightly.


    "What did he tell Conrad?" I asked.


    "He told Conrad to take care of us and said he wouldn''t be around to fulfill his duties as a son. He even handed thepany over to Conrad and asked him to look after you," Bree spat out, her voice dripping with bitterness.


    ¡°Listen to what he''s saying. It''s like he''s leaving a final will. He''s clearly nning to cut us off for good." Bree''s sharp tongue hadn''t dulled one bit. I didn''t know how to console her. After all, this was a family matter.


    However, recalling the conversation I had with Brandon on the ne, I ventured, ¡°Bree, maybe it''s just him talking out of anger, or perhaps he... has h I was subtly probing Bree, but she didn''t seem to catch on. Instead, she huffed, "What reasons? He just wants to marry that widow carrying someone


    That left me at a loss for words.


    "Chris is trying to force us into agreeing, but I''m not falling for it. If he wants to leave, let him. He can do whatever he likes. As far as I''m concerned, I d However, I knew she didn''t mean it. Otherwise, she wouldn''t have called me.


    "Bree, try not to get too worked up. He''s always been like this. Maybe he''lle around once he''s cooled off." I continued trying to calm her down. The whole situation was starting to wear on me, leaving me feeling drained and irritable.


    "I swear, he''s going to be the death of me," Bree muttered, still fuming.


    I stayed silent, finally understanding how draining it could be to deal with someone else''s negativity. It was one thing to vent your frustrations, but it was another to drag someone else down with you.


    ¡°Maddie, where are you? I haven''t seen you in a while," Bree said.


    Hooked at the shimmeringke under the starlit sky, a small smile tugging at my lips. "Bree, I came with Brandon to his hometown."


    There was a pause on the other end before Bree spoke again. ¡°He proposed to you, didn''t he?"


    I was about to reply when she added, "I saw your post on social media."


    "Yes, I epted," I answered honestly.

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    ?


    Bree sighed and remarked, "Brandon is really lucky to have you in his life."


    I curved my lips into a faint smile but didn''t say anything. In truth, I''m the lucky one. When Chris betrayed me, I met Brandon, who healed and redeem "When will you be back?" Bree asked.


    "I''m not sure," I replied, not giving a specific time..


    Bree sighed again. ¡°Maddie, when you get back,e talk to me. I''m really struggling with all this."


    Thinking about how she fell out with Chris because she stood up for me and drove Jewel away, I agreed.


    "Alright, I''ll visit you and Zack as soon as I return."


    ¡°Good. Take care of yourself out there, and be cautious in unfamiliar ces," Bree advised.


    ¡°I will,¡± I assured her. "And Bree, don''t let yourself get too upset."


    Bree sighed heavily.


    After the call ended, I breathed a sigh of relief. Ever since things went sour with Chris, I''ve found it increasingly stifling to talk with Bree and Zack.


    I put my phone away and looked over at Brandon and Ellie. I wasn''t sure what they were talking about, but Ellie wasughing the whole time, asion


    Not wanting to interrupt, I opened WhatsApp to send Lisa a message, but I noticed several unread messages from Jewel. "Madeline, do you know where Chris is?"


    ¡°Madeline, has something happened to Chris? I can''t reach him. Can you help me find him?"


    "Madeline, I''m really scared right now."N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    Reading these messages, I realized Chris hadn''t told her about his trip.


    I definitely wasn''t going to reply. After all, it''s no longer my concern.


    I exited the chat and snapped a picture to send to Lisa. She hadn''t replied yet, so I left her a voice message. "Came to pick up Ellie."


    I had just finished recording when Jewel''s voice call came through.


    I didn''t reply to her messages, so she decided to call me? Did she think Chris ran off with me?


    I let out a mockingugh and answered, "Hello."


    "Madeline, I''m sorry to bother you at this hour." Jewel''s tone was overly polite.


    I didn''t feel like ying nice. "Just say what you need."


    ¡°Did you see the messages I sent you?" Jewel asked.


    "Yes, I saw them," I answered honestly.


    Jewel went silent on the other end. She probably understood why I didn''t respond.


    After a brief pause, she asked, ¡°Do you know where Chris went?"


    ¡°No, and let me be clear, he''s not with me," I said bluntly, exposing her hidden thoughts.


    Jewel quickly rified, "Madeline,


    please don''t misunderstand. I''m asking you because I''m worried about him, not because I suspect anything between you two. I''m just... concerned."


    "Concerned about what?" I pressed.


    Was she afraid Chris might leave her?


    "Madeline, I''m scared something


    happened to Chris," Jewel said an et


    her voice trembled with an edge of despair. "Do you know what he did before he left?"


    How would I know?


    "He arranged everything for me and the baby. It felt like... like he was preparing for the worst," she said.

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    My heart skipped a beat.


    Earlier, Bree had said that Chris sounded like he was leaving his final message, and now Jewel is talking about him getting his affairs in order as if he Suddenly, I recalled a dream I had, along with Chris'' haunting question-what if he died?


    It was true that I no longer harbored love or hatred for him. However, when it came to matters of life and death, I couldn''t just ignore it, even if it was a Jewel was weeping, devastated, but she was crying to the wrong person. I wouldn''t pity her, andforting her was out of the question.


    Still, based on what I knew of Chris, I answered honestly, "Chris isn''t that kind of person."


    If someone considered ending it all over a setback, they mustck responsibility. A person


    like that couldn''t be trusted to care for anyone, not even themselves.


    "I also think Chris isn''t someone who would just give up like that." Jewel echoed my


    words, changing her tone. "But now I can''t reach him, and after what he did, I''m really worried."


    "If he''s already taken care of everything for you, what''s there to be worried about?" I retorted sarcastically.


    I might be forgiving, but that didn''t mean my kind words were without their edge.


    This woman took my fianc¨¦ from me, and now she was trying to get close to me? I''m not so spineless.


    "I''m afraid something happened to him. He doesn''t realize that my real sense of securityes from him, not from the things he arranged." Jewel''s words stabbed at me.


    I chuckled. "Is that so? Then you should be looking elsewhere for that security. You won''t find it here."


    I was about to hang up when Jewel asked, ¡°Madeline, if he contacts you or if you hear anything, will you let me know?"


    "I''ll pass along your message and tell him to reach out to you," I said, then ended the call.


    A cold breeze swept past me,


    making me feel chilly. Not far away, Brandon was still chatting with Ellie. Bree and Jewel''s words swirled in my mind, and I finally decided to call Conrad.


    He didn''t answer right away, which wasn''t the first time this happened. However, it used to be that whenever I called, he''d pick up immediately. "Maddie," Conrad answered just as the call was about to go to voicemail.


    "Did I interrupt something?" I asked, staring into the night.


    "No, I was just making dinner in the kitchen," Conrad exined.


    Whether that was true or not, I couldn''t tell.


    "Did Bree call you?" I got straight to the point.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    "She did. She talked about Chris and cried for a while." Conrad''s voice was filled with helplessness.


    After he finished, I added, "Bree called me too, and so did Jewel. They''re both saying that Chris has been taking care of a lot of things like he''s..."


    I paused. ¡°Like he''s getting his affairs in order."


    "Maddie, what are you saying?" Conrad rarely disagreed with me, but now he did.


    "It''s not just me saying it. I don''t want to get involved, but they both came to me, so I need to ask you. Do you know where Chris went? Did he tell you anything?" wanted to make it clear that I wasn''t asking because of any lingering feelings for


    Chris. Content belongs to


    Conrad''s silence gave me my answer. Chris had reached out to him and likely shared something with him.


    My chest tightened, but I didn''t press further. I waited for Conrad to speak.


    After about half minute, Conrad finally said quietly, "Chris told me he''s exhausted, that he wants to take a real break. He said that as his older brother, I should take on the I responsibilities now. He just wants to go back to being the carefree Chris he once was."

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    As I heard what Conrad said, images of Chris during our school days shed before my eyes. He was reckless and carefree. Back then, he truly was


    I once thought he would always be that way, but somewhere along the line, he changed, and now we have reached this point.


    Perhaps this was why they said the future was unpredictable.


    "Chris also asked me to care for our parents... and you." Conrad''s voice grew more somber. "He even said that when you get married, he wants me to


    My chest tightened at these words, and a su


    of frustration welled


    up inside me. Chris had caused such a mess, making everyone worry as if he were in some desperate situation, only for it to turn out that he just want


    "So it''s not really a farewell message after all," I said, my tone dripping with bitterness.


    On the other end, Conrad quietly responded, "Maybe he has his own reasons, things we don''t understand."


    I let out a sarcasticugh. "He has a wife and a child, and his


    career is soaring. What possible hardship or despair could he be facing? Is he indulging in some melodramatic, self-pitying fantasy?"


    "Maddie, you''re still angry at him, aren''t you?" Conrad assumed my sarcasm was born out of lingering resentment toward Chris.


    "No." I corrected him. "When I decided to cut ties with him, I let go of feeling both love and hate for him."


    Conrad was silent for a few seconds before he said, "Letting go of love and hate isn''t that easy."


    His words reminded me of what Brandon had once analyzed for me. It also brought to mind Conrad''s restrained yet deep feelings for me.


    I wanted to ask him if he had let go of those feelings for me, but I couldn''t bring myself to voice it.


    "What are you nning to do?" I changed the subject.


    the lid and


    "Hmm?" He seemed unsure of what I meant.


    I rified, "Chris has gone off who, WS


    to do about it?"


    where and is leaving everything to you. What are you nning


    Conrad seemed to understand now. "Whether or not Chris is here, I''ll do my best to take care of our parents and you. As for thepany. I''ll manage things until he returns."


    Hearing this, I realized Brandon had been right.


    Conrad had always excelled in school, striving to gain his parents'' approval through his achievements, It was only natural for someone as capable as him to be ambitious. How could someone like that be content with mediocrity?


    "But wasn''t he kicked out of thepany by Zack? Even if hees back, he might not have a ce there," 1 hinted, careful with my words.


    Conrad was a wise person, so I''mOwned by N?velDrama.Org.


    sure he understood the implication. I wasn''t afraid if he did. If it weren''t for the affection he had shown me


    all these years, I would''ve said it to his face. Content belongs to


    "Maddie," Conrad called me softly. "Do you think all this has something to do with me?"


    I wasn''t wrong. He had picked up on my insinuation.


    ¡°Conrad, people get what they deserve,¡± I said before ending the call.


    I didn''t know why, but I started to tremble. Even though Conrad and I hadn''t argued, my emotions were running high after hanging up.


    Just then, a warm jacket was draped over my shoulders. I looked


    up to see Brandon standing beside me. I hadn''t even noticed when he''de over.


    I started to speak, but Brandon interrupted me. ¡°Let''s go home.¡±


    I didn''t move, staring at him.


    Under my gaze, Brandon swallowed hard.


    "The car ident... It was a brake issue," he said.

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    I froze, staring at him in shock.


    Brandon''s father was the driver. If there were an issue with the brakes, it would be his responsibility.


    For a moment, neither of us spoke. We just stood there, looking at each other.


    After a while, Brandon''s hand on my shoulder


    moved slightly. "My father was the driver. If the brakes failed, whether it was due to human error or a mechanical issue, he''s responsible."


    A chill ran through me, not from the weather but from the emotions swirling inside me.


    If things between Brandon and I hadn''t progressed to this point, it would have been easy for me to hold his father ountable. Now that Brandon was responsible for the ident.


    "Mae, you know I''ve been investigating my father''s death. This is connected. Once I uncover the truth, I''ll give you a clear answer," Brandon said with unwavering sincerity, not once faltering even though it involved his father.


    I knew Brandon was straightforward, and he would follow through on his word. However, I''m terrified of what his answer would be if it turned out his fa never expected things toe to this. Yet, I couldn''t ignore the truth about my parents'' ident just because of my feelings for him.


    Brandon said he would investigate and that he was also looking into Arthur. However, Arthur already told me everything.


    My mind started to spiral again...


    Sensing my turmoil, Brandon ced his hand on the back of my neck, gently pressing down. "Mae, don''t overthink it. Things might not be as bad as w He understood that if the worst came to pass, it could devastate usBelongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    I started trembling even more, feeling like I was about to copse, so I buried myself in his embrace. I didn''t speak, but deep inside, I was praying. Please, let it not be that. Brandon had be my rock.


    Brandon held me for a long time until my emotions finally settled, and then he took me back inside.


    Ellie had returned before us. When she saw us holding hands, she beamed and said, "Mae, I made some mushroom soup. Come and try it!" Brandon looked at me first. "You should try it. Ellie''s mushroom soup is really good."


    "I stole my brother''s recipe and made some improvements," Ellie said proudly.


    Brandon was an excellent cook, and Ellie wasn''t far behind. After all, she had been living on her own, so taking care of herself was essential.


    I sat down and took a sip of the


    soup. It


    After bas warm andforting.


    After being out in the cold and going through such emotional turmoil, it was exactly what I needed


    Brandon also sat down to eat, but neither of us spoke. Only Ellie kept talking.


    After a while, Ellie put down her bowl and went outside. Then she called out, "Bran,e help me with something!"


    I continued drinking my soup, but I could hear faintly the hushed conversation between the siblings outside.


    "Bran, did you and Mae have a fight? She seems really upset."


    "No, we didn''t. She''s probably just tired," he said.


    "Really? You''re not lying to me?" she asked again. "No, I''m not."


    "Bran, Mae''s such a good person.


    Don''t ever make her unhappy, andet


    ourself miserableet


    don''t eitt "Ellie sighed as she said this.


    W


    Brandon let out a softugh. ¡°Don''t worry, I won''t.¡±


    ¡°Bran, I just want to see you both happy. When you''re not, I get anxious." Ellie''s words made my hand tremble as I held the bowl.


    How could I forget that my emotions affect those around me?

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    So, no matter what happened, I had to let it go for now.


    Ellie was such a pure girl, but she was also sensitive. I couldn''t let my emotions affect her.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    By the time Brandon and Ellie came back, I had already finished the mushroom soup and even stole some soup from Brandon''s bowl.


    Since I was stealing food from Brandon, Ellie naturally assumed that Brandon and I hadn''t had a fight after all.


    They both seemed a bit surprised by my actions, staring at me.


    I put a spoonful of mushroom soup in my mouth. Then, I said with a slightly embarrassed tone, "I think I could have another bowl."


    ¡°I''ll go make some more right now!" Ellie first looked surprised, then a little flustered.


    "No need, let her finish mine," Brandon said, offering me his bowl.


    There was no way I could have another bowl. I winked at him and took a spoonful. "I''ll just have a couple more spoonfuls."


    "Then let''s share," Brandon said as he took the spoon from my hand and drank the soup.


    I was stunned, but Ellie burst intoughter. "Mae, the way you two are feeding each other is so sweet!"


    That was when I realized Brandon had figured out my intention and was ying along with me.


    Ellie waspletely won over by our act, and her mood brightened again. Brandon


    and I kept up the charade, taking turns feeding each other until we finished the whole bowl of soup.


    As Brandon washed the dishes, Ellie pulled me aside. "Mae, I''ve changed the bedsheets for you


    both, and your toiletries are ready. If you need anything else, just let me know."


    "Thank you, Ellie,¡± I said, grateful for her kindness and attentiveness. I could only express my thanks this


    way.


    I could tell that Ellie really liked me, so the best way to return her affection was to show her that I was undoubtedly her Mae.


    Ellie then turned to Brandon. ¡°Bran, you need to hurry up and marry Mae. If someone else takes her away,


    I won''t stand for it."


    "Hmm, as soon as you''re better, I''ll marry her," Brandon responded naturally.


    Ellie was about to say something when Brandon added, "Mae is


    you don''t kick her in your


    sleeping with you tonight.


    "


    sure


    Both Ellie and I froze.


    He was sending me to sleep with Ellie instead of him.


    Ellie nced at me before saying, "Bran, Mae should sleep with you."


    "We''re not married yet. It wouldn''t be appropriate for her to sleep with me." Brandon''s words nearly made my jaw drop. This sneaky man! The double standards!


    Before we came here, he insisted on holding me to sleep even if nothing else happened between us.


    Now that we were here, he suddenly wanted to act like a gentleman in front of Ellie and insisted on separate rooms?


    "A girl should know how to protect


    herself," Brandon added, clearly


    using


    e as an example.n


    Ellienot to give herself to a man too


    swr


    easily. Content belongs to


    However, just earlier, when Ellie was reading her romance novel, she asked me if Brandon and I had kissed. And I already told her.....


    "Bran, you don''t need to use this as a


    lesson to teach me. I understand Besides, if Mae sleeps with me can you even sleep?" Ellie quipped, making Brandon look at me.


    His ears turned slightly red as he mumbled, "I''ll sleep just fine."


    ¡°Oh,¡± I replied. ¡°Then I wish you sweet dreams."


    Brandon shot me a look, but I just linked arms with Ellie. "Let Brandon clean up. Let''s go to bed."

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    For the next few days, I slept with Ellie.


    I knew Brandon could handle it. He was the kind of person who could keep hisposure even while holding me.


    However, I wondered how he would manage once we got back.


    After all, Ellie wanted us to live together after she left.


    We stayed at her ce for four days, which surprised me. I thought Brandon would rush to get her into surgery to treat her illness as soon as possible


    However, he didn''t. Instead, he spent the days taking us fishing and the nights cooking gourmet meals.


    Ellie and I enjoyed our time like princesses, indulging in a peaceful, almost idyllic life. If we stayed any longer, I might not want to leave.


    "Brandon, let''s retire here when we''re old. I feel like I could live to be 150 in this ce." I sighed.


    Brandon smiled. "Alright."


    "I want to live to 150 years old too," Ellie said, now full of hope for her new life.


    We made arrangements with Lisa so we could admit Ellie to the hospital as soon as wended, but she wanted to see our house first.


    Brandon wanted to tell her it was a rented ce, but I stopped him because I didn''t want her to feel guilty, thinking she was a burden on him who could


    "This house was left to me by my parents. It might be a bit old, but it''s veryfortable," I said, trying to paint it in the best light.


    Ellie turned to Brandon. ¡°Bran, have you been living with her all this time? So, you two have been cohabiting for a while?"


    She was quite mischievous. She even teased him.


    Seeing him remain silent and gaze at me, I couldn''t help but smile to myself.


    "Maddie, your house is wonderful. I really like it. After I''m discharged from the hospital, can I stay here for


    a while?" Ellie asked. She treated me like one of her own.


    "You can stay as long as you like," I said, but then I remembered the ce was due for demolition.


    "But I won''t stay here tonight," her words caught Brandon and me off guard.


    "Where do you want to go?" he asked.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    A shy blush appeared on her cheeks. "Bran, I''ve never been to a big city."


    Both Brandon and I understood what she meant. Then, Ellie clung to my arm. "Maddie, it''s not that I don''t


    like your ce, but I want to see what the big city I''ve only seen on television is like." Content belongs to


    Upon hearing this, I realized that the idyllic life I had envied Ellie for was actually her prison. Brandon, in trying to protect her, had also confined her. Ellie''s longing for the bustling city reminded me of a line from a novel. It read, "Those inside the fortress want out, and those outside want in."


    Brandon and I exchanged a nce. He gently tapped on her head, "How could you me me for not bringing you out?"


    "You never did! You refused to take me every time I asked," she used.


    Iughed. ¡°It''s because he met me toote. If he had met me sooner, you would have been here much earlier."


    "Exactly, so you''re my lucky star,"


    she said while resting her head on


    my shoulder and yfully


    scrunching her nose at Brandon. "Bran, you fiave to be good to


    Maddie, or I won''t forgive you."


    Most women worried aboutpeting with their sisters-inw for attention, but I was different. I was being pampered and protected by mine.


    Brandon and I took Ellie into the city |


    and showed her many ces. We were concerned her body wouldn''t keep up, but the city''s vibrancy captivated her, and she didn''t feel any fatigue.


    As she enjoyed her ice cream amidst the vibrant neon lights of the night, I saw that her radiant smile had hidden the tears in her eyes. "Maddie, I''d be content if I could live even one day like this in my lifetime."


    Her words made my throat tighten with emotion.


    At that moment, I understood that what she longed


    for wasn''t a morous life but to experience life in its fullness. She wasn''t hopeful about her future either.

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    It seemed she


    knew how serious her condition was. She was aware that if the surgery were sessful, it would be a new chance for her. If it failed, everything she w


    "You''ll have plenty of time to live this kind of life in the future," I said, nudging her gently with my head. Trust me."


    "Maddie, Bran can be really stubborn and not great with words. Please don''t get upset with him," Ellie suddenly said with a hint of emotion.


    I thought she was worried about the surgery, and I was just about tofort her when she continued, "I know you''ve been purposely punishing him th Her words made me a bit embarrassed, so I poked her yfully. "Kid, where do you get all these ideas?


    Don''t overthink it."


    "Maddie, don''t be fooled by my age. I''ve read a ton of romance novels. I get it. I understand everything," she said with a confident smile.


    I didn''t deny it anymore. "Yeah, he was being too stubborn, so I let him deal with the consequences.


    Besides, he has been a bachelor for over 30 years. What''s a few days? You don''t need to feel sorry for him.


    "He''s my brother. He''d give his life for me. How can I not feel sorry for him?" Ellie said while taking a lick


    of her ice cream. "He''s the best brother in the world, and he''s also the best man."


    Her words hit me right in the heart, and I almost teared up. "I''ll take good care of him."


    "Yes, I believe you. I knew it from the moment I first saw you." Her praise caught me off guard.


    "Alright, don''t overthink things then. Focus on getting better. Once you''re healthy, the two of us can spoil him together and make him the happiest brot


    "Okay. Let''s make a pinky promise," Ellie said while holding out her hand to me.


    "You really are just a kid." Iughed, linking my pinky with hers.


    "Maddie, why don''t you take me to the hospital today? I want to get better as soon as possible." Her request surprised me.


    "There''s no rush. We''re taking you to


    a hotel tonight." I wanted to give her more new experiences, knowing her curiosity about this vibrant world wasn''t about vanity. It was pure, like a child''s desire to explore. Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    Ellie shook her head. "Let''s save that for when I''m better. After that, we can stay at the tallest hotel here, where I can reach out and touch the stars."


    Her childlike words made my eyes sting with emotion. ¡°Alright, we''ll find a ce where you can lie down and watch the stars."


    She insisted on going to the hospital, and neither Brandon nor I could change her mind, so we took her there.


    I sent Lisa a message in advance, and when we arrived, she immediately took us to the inpatient ward while Brandon handled the paperwork.


    Once everything was arranged, Ellie started shooing us away. "Bran, Maddie, you can go home now."


    "I''m staying here." Brandon was unwilling to leave her alone.


    "Bran, what about Maddie?" Her question made Lisa burst intoughter.


    She went on, "Bran, you should go be with Maddie. Don''t forget you promised me you''d have a baby, so you two need to hurry up. But really, it''s most This time, I couldn''t hold back myughter either.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    With both Lisa and Iughing, Brandon''s ears turned red again.


    He stepped forward and gently tapped on Ellie''s forehead. "Shush!"


    Ellie turned to me. "Maddie, Bran''s being mean to me.''


    I was just about to step in and pull Brandon away when the door to the room opened, and Keith walked in Dressed in white, he entered with an almost dazzling presence, and? admit that I was momentarily stunned.


    Lisa was also surprised. "Keith, what brings you here sote?"


    ¡°I''m here to check on the patient,¡± Keith said as he walked to the bedside, where Ellie''s bright, watery eyes were fixed intently on him.

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    "Lie down. Let me listen," Keith said as he took the stethoscope from around his neck.


    We all watched anxiously. Even Brandon, who usually remained calm under pressure, was visibly tense.


    However, this was just a check-up, not a surgery.


    I saw once again how much he cherished her. I reached out and held his hand. He turned to look at me, and I gave him a reassuring nod.


    Ellie didn''t move. She just stared at Keith as if she were frozen in ce.


    Upon noticing this, Lisa stepped forward and bent down slightly. "Lie down so Mr. Marrow can listen to your heartbeat. It won''t hurt.¡±


    Ellie had already met Lisa earlier and had taken an immediate liking to her.


    It was only then that Ellie blinked and obedientlyy down.


    I noticed her cheeks had turned red, like the flowers blooming in her


    little garden. My heart tightened as I looked into her eyes, which sparkled brighter than ever.


    I nced at Keith, who was pressing the stethoscope against Ellie''s chest. He was focused solely on his task.


    A man who was serious about his work was truly captivating, especially when he was as handsome as Keith.


    Oh no! Ellie had definitely fallen for him.


    "Your heartbeat is a bit fast. Are you feeling unwell?" Keith asked while looking at her.


    She pursed her lip and shook her head but then nodded.


    He remained patient. ¡°Are you feeling well or not?"


    "A bit flustered," she said while still staring at him.


    "Don''t be nervous. Breathe evenly and close your eyes," Keith calmly reassured her.


    However, Ellie shook her head. At that moment, Brandon tightened his grip on my hand as - was now more anxious.


    Keith moved the stethoscope to another position before putting it away. He looked at Ellie and said, " Aside from a slightly fast heartbeat, there''s nothing major to worry about."


    |


    After speaking, he exchanged a look with Brandon and me, then walked out of the room.


    Lisa followed him, and naturally, so


    did Brandon. I wanted to go out and hear


    at they were discussing, but Want to leave Ellie alone, so I


    stayed behind Content belongs toBelongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    Ellie was now pressing her hands against her chest as if trying to keep her heart from leaping out.


    Seeing her flushed face and the dazed look in her eyes as she stared at the ceiling, I walked over. "Is your heart bothering you?"


    "Maddie, I think I''ve fallen for that professor just now," Ellie confessed, confirming the suspicion I had had earlier.


    s!


    They said that good looks would attract admirers, and that couldn''t be more true.


    It was the same for both women and men.


    Keith standing there was enough to make Ellie''s heart flutter.


    However, it was impossible for her obe


    and Keith to be together. I didn''t think this because Lisa also liked him. Rather, I was worried that Ellie might affect Lisa''s love life. I had already seen in Keith''s eyes the feelings he had for Lisa.


    Even though nothing had developed between them yet, it didn''t mean it won''t.


    So, to save Ellie from getting hurt, I need to gently put an end to her budding feelings.


    I pouted yfully. "It''s because he''s good-looking, right? I think so, too. Just looking at him is a real treat. I like him too."

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    "Maddie." Ellie was suddenly alerted. "What are you saying? Do you like Mr. Marrow, too? That''s not right. You should only like Bran." She stopped pressing her chest and looked at me with genuine concern.


    I couldn''t help but smile inwardly, though I acted resigned. ¡°But Mr. Marrow is so good-


    looking. When I first saw him, I thought he was more like a celestial being than a doctor."


    "No way," she said while grabbing my arm. "Maddie, even though he''s good-looking, he''s nowhere near as handsome as Bran, and he doesn''t have the same manly charm. Most importantly, Bran is very genuine, unlike him."


    "Really?" I looked at her puzzledly. "You think Mr. Marrow isn''t genuine? How can you tell?"


    She pouted and shook my arm. ¡°Maddie, you can''t like any man other than Bran. You belong to him.¡±


    She was quite possessive in her beliefs.


    I asked, "You like love thatsts forever, right?"


    That was how it was written in novels. No matter how much trouble the main characters


    went through, readers still hoped they would end up together.


    As someone raised on romance novels, Ellie probably had simr expectations.


    "Yes, so you can only be with Bran. You can''t like anyone else," she said firmly.


    "But Mr. Marrow has someone he likes too. If you like him, either he has to break up with his current partner, or you''ll have to endure the pain of unreq love like the second female lead in a novel." I pointed out.


    Her eyes widened in surprise. "Mr. Marrow has a girlfriend?"


    Before I could answer, she added, "Of course, with his bright and handsome looks, how could he not have a girlfriend?"


    Seeing she was starting to understand, I continued, "Yes, and do you know who he likes?"Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    Ellie shook her head. "Today was the first time I met him. How could I know?"


    "It''s Dr. Carline." My words made her widen her eyes in shock. The light in her eyes dimmed gradually.


    She rested her head on my shoulder. "No wonder such a prominent professor woulde to see me. It turns out it''s because of his girlfriend."


    I leaned against her and looked out the window. Dr. Carline has liked


    Mr. Marrow ever since their school days. Her love for him was so strong that she chose to attend the same medical school he did and became his junior. In many ways, Dr Carline''s current achievements are all due to that love." Content belongs


    to NovelDrama.Org


    I told Ellie about Lisa''s unspoken


    feelings for Keith, and she immediately responded, "So Mr. Marrow didn''t know all along? Dr. Carline is so reserved. Love should be expressed openly "Yes, that''s what I encouraged her to do. As it


    turns out, Mr. Marrow overheard her feelings when he came, so her secret admiration became known." looked at her.


    "And I could see in his eyes that he has feelings for her just like the way you looked at him," I added, causing Ellie''s face to flush.


    ¡°Maddie, stop! I get it now. I won''t


    like Mr. Marrow anymore. But he really is very handsome. He''s the most handsome man I''ve ever O seen..." She paused, then added, "Well, except for Bran."


    Upon hearing that, Iughed. ¡°Yes, the most handsome man, apart from your brother." "Maddie, you can only like Bran,¡± Ellie warned me as she was her, ¡°Yes, and Brandon and I n to have a baby for you to y with." "Maddie, are you really nning to have a baby with Bran?" she asked with a face full of excitement.


    I looked at her beautiful face. "Yes, a girl as pretty as you."


    "Better yet, twins,¡± she added without hesitation.


    "Okay. As long as Brandon has the capability," I said, and just then, Brandon''s tall figure appeared precisely at the door of the ward.


    Ellie noticed him and said, ¡°Bran, did you hear? Maddie said-"


    "I heard." Brandon interrupted her and fixed his gaze on me.


    I fell silent.

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    ?


    Ellie was adamant that Brandon should leave, but I was worried about leaving her alone.


    I had no choice but to ask Lisa for help, even though she was on the night shift.


    "Mrs. Howell, I''m here to work, fot to look after Ellie. You''re asking me to do something outside


    my job. Aren''t you taking me for granted?" Lisa teased me deliberately.


    ¡°It''s not about looking after her. It''s just that if you have time, check on her to make sure she''s sleeping well," I exined yfully.


    Lisa huffed. "After all these years, I feel like my bond with you pales inparison to how you treat Ellie."


    "Don''t be jealous. You''re irreceable in my heart. Even Brandon can''tpare," I said while giving her a thumbs-up.


    "I''m not Brandon. You don''t need to tter me," she said as she examined the ring on my finger.


    "It''s an old model and an old piece. It''s not worth much, but it''s precious because Brandon gave it to you, unlike Chris," Lisa mentioned.


    I was already indifferent to that part of my past and even joined in the jest, "Maybe I''m just not worth it in Chris'' mind."


    "It''s not that you''re unworthy," she said with a sigh. "It''s more like you being around gave Chris the illusion that you couldn''t leave him, so he didn''t prioritize your feelings."


    I gave a cynical smile. "It doesn''t matter anymore. It''s all in the past, and he''s gone far away now."


    "Where did he go?" Lisa asked, picking up on the conversation.


    "I don''t know. He seems to be missing deliberately," I said, recounting how Bree and Jewel were looking for Chris.


    Lisa looked pensive and said, "I saw Chrising often to the hospital recently. Could it be that he''s in some trouble?"


    Thinking back to when I was in aa here after the car ident and saw Chris, I gave a mocking smile. "He''s probably here with Jewel. After all, sh "That''s possible. But each time I saw him, he seemed to be alone," Lisa said just as the office door opened.


    "Come in!" She straightened up.


    A man in a delivery uniform walked in. "Are you Dr. Carline?"


    "Yes!"


    "This is your delivery, and here are the flowers," the delivery man said, holding out a bag and a bouquet.


    I immediately sensed something was up and looked at her. Her expression remained calm as she replied, "Sorry, ?ir, but I didn''t order any delivery." "Someone ordered it for you," the delivery man said while checking his phone. "It''s from a person named My Heart Longs for Lisa.""


    Upon hearing that, I couldn''t help but smile and whisper, ¡°Is it a suitor?"


    "It''s from a family member of a patient inbor."


    "A married man?" I asked in surprise.


    "No. He''s the patient''s brother," Lisa exined.


    "Dr. Carline, I need to move on to my next delivery. I''ve left the food and flowers here. If you don''t want them, you can contact this gentleman," the delivery man said, leaving the items and walking away. Content belongs


    to NovelDrama.Org


    I walked over to check the receipt on the food box and noticed a new detail. "There''s a note."


    "What does it say?" Lisa remained indifferent throughout, which hinted at her feelings.


    "Liz, I know you''re working hard tonight. Since I can''t be with you, I hope my affection will apany you through this long night. Your Missed Lover," I read aloud, trying to hold back augh.


    After reading it, I looked at Lisa. "Your Missed Lover? How cheesy."


    Knock! Knock!


    The knock on the door made me turn, and I saw Keith standing there.


    The door had been left ajar when the delivery man left, so I wasn''t sure how long Keith had been there. However, he was clearly looking at the flowers and the food.


    "Mr. Marrow," I greeted him.Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    He nodded and walked over to Lisa. "I''ve already discussed the surgery with the patient''s family." "Thank you for your hard work, Keith," Lisa responded politely. She was stillin her rote role as a junior. "You should


    know who I''m working hard for." His words suddenly changed the atmosphere.


    I straightened up instinctively, and Lisa, surprised by his unexpectedment, stammered, "I''ve caused you trouble, Keith. I won''t do it again. I won''t-"

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    ?


    Hearing this exnation, I felt a pang


    of sympathy. Lisa already had a hard time with her unrequited love, and if it weren''t for my insistence, she would never have reached out to Keith on h


    However, Keith being so blunt about it must have hurt her deeply. Not only did he not reciprocate her feelings, but he also


    seemed to be hurting her openly.


    Just as I was about to speak up, he interrupted her. "I''m not afraid of trouble, and you can only trouble me.


    Huh?


    What did he mean?


    I was confused, and Lisa''s expression showed she was equally perplexed. "Keith-¡±


    "Aren''t you the one who said you liked me?" He interrupted her again.


    Lisa remained silent.


    ¡°Since you like me, why are you attracting other men and epting their affection?" His words suddenly made everything clear.


    He was jealous, and he was being very straightforward about it.


    Had they not confessed their feelings to each other yet?


    Could this be his way of confessing?


    I felt a rush of excitement as I looked at Lisa. She seemed stunned by Keith''s directness. "Keith, are you


    bothered by this? Are you jealous?


    Was it not obvious?


    "Yes. If you like me, you should only like me and not be fickle," he said with a bluntness that even surpassed Brandon''s.


    I saw Lisa swallow nervously. "Keith, I do like you, but you haven''t said you like me, so I..."


    She was at a loss for words.


    "I never said I didn''t like you." Keith''s words were really something.


    So he liked Lisa too.


    My instincts about people were spot on.


    Although Lisa was still in a daze, his confession made her even more confused. "Keith..."


    ¡°Lisa, I like you too. I''ve liked you even longer than you''ve liked me." His confession was getting more and more direct.


    I clenched my fists as I watched Lisa excitedly, hoping she would finally throw herself into the arms of her beloved Keith.


    However, she just stood there without showing any reaction at all.


    Was she overwhelmed with happiness?Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    The awkward silence stretched on for nearly half a minute. Just as I was thinking whether to say something, he broke the silence. "Lisa, why aren''t you


    "Right, I got it," Lisa replied coolly.


    I was stunned, almost doubting if this was the Lisa I knew. Was she channeling Brandon''s cold demeanor?


    The few words she replied with were totally in Brandon''s style.


    Was she too happy to react properly?


    Just as I was getting frustrated with her response and worried that he might be disappointed or angry Keith added, "You''re my girlfriend now. You can only ept my flowers and eat the takeout I send.¡±


    Lisa nodded obediently. "Got it.""


    I was utterly baffled, witnessing what felt like a low-IQ romantic exchange between two highly educated individuals.


    I wondered if my presence was


    causing them to hold back, so I quietly slipped away. However, as soon as I stepped outside, I walked straight into a solid chest.

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    Redmption 326


    Ouch!


    I gasped in surprise.


    A strong hand gripped my arm and pulled me away. I looked up to see an unfamiliar face. The moment he saw me, his expression turned


    panicked. Without a word, he released me and ran off.


    Rubbing my sore forehead, I watched his hurried retreat and then nced back at Lisa¡¯s office. It dawned on me that this man must have been eavesdro


    So, this man¡­ Was he the person with the username ¡°My Heart Longs for Lisa¡± and the real name ¡°Your Missed Lover¡°?


    Brandon approached me while I was lost in thought. As I was about to walk toward him, I heard Lisa¡¯s voice from inside, ¡°Keith, I¡¯m hungry now.¡±


    That made me smile.


    Lisa was quite skilled at switching between aloof and affectionate. She knew how to handle things.


    ¡°What¡¯s so funny?¡± Brandon asked softly.


    ¡°Lisa and Mr. Marrow are officially together.¡± I pointed behind me.


    He nced briefly and then took my hand. ¡°Let¡¯s head back.¡±


    ¡°Is it okay to leave Ellie alone?¡± I still had concerns despite having spoken to Lisa.


    ¡°She¡¯ll be fine,¡± he reassured me. ¡°She¡¯s been independent for years back home.¡±


    His words made me realize Ellie had always been self¨Creliant despite her delicate appearance.


    Feeling reassured by Brandon¡¯s confidence, I rxed. Then, we headed home.


    Throughout the drive, Brandon was quiet. I assumed he was still worried about Ellie¡¯s surgery, so I stayed


    silent.


    After we got out of the car and went up to our apartment, he was still holding my hand. I tried to pull away slightly, but he didn¡¯t let go.


    I shook his hand, which was still tightly sped with mine. ¡°What¡¯s this about?¡±


    ¡°Open the door!¡± Brandon¡¯smanding tone was a rare disy of dominance.


    The meaning was clear. I decided to tease him for acting all serious. ¡°Mr. Howell, we¡¯re not married yet. Isn¡¯t this a bit inappropriate?¡±


    His Adam¡¯s


    apple bobbed as he took a step closer, forcing me to retreat until I was pressed against the door. He leaned in, and his nose almost touched mine. ¡°HowN?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    I was speechless.


    He actually took my jokes seriously.


    It was true that men could be quite petty. Was there any way to change that?


    With him so close, I could see the fiery determination in his eyes. It was clear he was set on getting what he wanted tonight..


    However, thinking about his behavior in front of Ellie, I felt like giving him a good lesson.


    ¡°You said it¡¯s inappropriate before marriage and that a girl should protect herself.¡± I traced circles on his chest with my fingers.


    Brandon, knowing I was teasing him, spoke in a husky voice. ¡°You don¡¯t need to protect yourself. I¡¯ll protect you.¡±


    With that, he tilted his head to kiss me.


    I dodged, and after several attempts, his breath grew heavy. ¡°Mae, be good.¡±


    ¡°No.¡± I refused.


    He had left me hanging for days in his hometown. I wasn¡¯t going to give in so easily now just because he wanted it.


    ¡°Mae¡­¡± Brandon¡¯s voice was soft and weak. ¡°Are you angry?¡±


    So, he understood.


    I admitted candidly. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m angry. It¡¯s because of how you treated me before.¡±


    Seeing I was serious, he rested his forehead against mine and asked helplessly, ¡°How long are you going to stay angry?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±

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    Brandon rubbed his forehead against mine. ¡°But I really miss you. I miss you so much¡­¡±


    He took my hand and pressed it against his warm, intimate spot.


    I pulled my hand back sharply and quickly hid it behind me. Seeing my panic, he chuckled softly.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you want it?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t. Not at all. I¡¯m tired and just want to sleep.¡± I pushed him away and fumbled for the keys.


    I couldn¡¯t find the keys in my flustered state, so after a while, he retrieved them for me.


    ¡°You¡¯re such a little scaredy¨Ccat,¡± he whispered close to my ear.


    I felt a flush spread over my body. It was as if his warmth was contagious.


    Brandon unlocked the door, but just as I was about to go in, he pulled me back. ¡°You really don¡¯t


    want me toe in?¡±


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t.¡± I couldn¡¯t even look at him.


    But before I could finish speaking, he had already pushed his way inside. I red at him.


    ¡°Brandon!¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t stay,¡± he said as he checked each room and inspected the windows before finallying


    back to me. ¡°I¡¯ve checked. The doors and windows are secure, and there¡¯s nothing unusual in the


    house.¡±


    At that moment, my heart clenched, and I felt a strange sense of things settling into ce.


    ¡°You¡¯ve had a long day, rushing for flights and then going to the hospital. You must be exhausted.


    Take a shower and get a good night¡¯s sleep,¡± he said, patting my head and pinching my cheek.


    Seeing him like this, I suddenly didn¡¯t want him to leave or to continue punishing him.


    After all, his behavior in his hometown was partly to set an example for Ellie and partly to avoid


    making me feel awkward, especially since we weren¡¯t married yet.


    ¡°Good night,¡± Brandon said before releasing me and turning to leave.


    I held him back. I couldn¡¯t find the right words to say at the moment, but he should understand what


    this gesture meant.


    However, he just looked at me without moving and pretended to be puzzled.


    He was definitely ying with me.


    Brandon might be inexperienced in romance, but he was a master in practice.


    I had no choice but to speak up, ¡°I¡¯ve changed my mind.¡±


    ¡°Hm?¡± he responded.


    pinched him lightly. ¡°I want you to stay.¡±


    This time, he didn¡¯t y along but let out a softugh. ¡°So, you¡¯ve decided you want me after all?¡±


    I couldn¡¯t admit it, so I yed it cool. ¡°No, I¡¯m just scared.¡± To cover my embarrassment, I added,


    ¡°You made me anxious with all that checking. Everything was fine before.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve checked, and everything¡¯s okay. You can sleep peacefully. Besides, I¡¯m just across the hall. If


    there¡¯s any danger, just shout.¡± Brandon really knew how to tease me.


    I couldn¡¯tpete with his teasing and gave up. ¡°What if I just want you to stay?¡±


    His smile grew even brighter. ¡°You¡¯re not angry anymore?¡±


    N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    ¡°Brandon.¡± I was at my limit. ¡°I¡¯ll reall get mad if you keep messing with me.¡±


    His fingers brushed my face gently. ¡°Mae, don¡¯t be angry.¡±


    I thought he was agreeing to stay, but the next second, he said, ¡°I¡¯m just next door. Don¡¯t be afraid


    or overthink things. Just get a good night¡¯s sleep.¡±


    I wasn¡¯t naive. I understood that he still intended to leave. After all that heated interaction and desire


    in his eyes, why was he backing off now?


    Even if he was teasing me, there should be a limit!


    I let go of him, pretending to be annoyed. ¡°Go on! Just go!¡±


    I pushed him toward the door, but Brandon sensed my emotions and reached out to hold me. With a


    resigned sigh, he whispered in my ear, ¡°What am I supposed to do with you?¡±


    His words conveyed a deep weariness, and my heart ached. I hugged him back. ¡°Brandon, go get a


    good night¡¯s sleep, and don¡¯t overthink things.¡±


    I still pushed him away, wanting him to go and get some rest, because I knew that we wouldn¡¯t be


    able to keep things calm if he stayed.

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    Redmption 328


    After Brandon left, I took a shower beforeying down on the bed. Then, I picked up my phone.


    Lisa had sent me a message with a photo attached. The photo showed Ellie sleeping soundly, and the message read, ¡°Ellie is fine.¡±


    As expected of a close friend. I knew I could trust her to take good care of things.


    I replied, ¡°Thanks for your help.¡±


    Right after I hit the send button, Lisa¡¯s video call came through almost immediately. Had she been waiting for my reply?


    Considering that she had just established a rtionship with her crush, I figured that she was just eager to share the news with me. I answered the video


    Lisa was lounging in her office chair, and her face was glowing with joy that was almost palpable through the screen. I teased her, ¡°You can¡¯t hide that gl


    ¡°Mrs. Howell, you¡¯re so poetic,¡± Lisa said with a thumbs up.


    I didn¡¯t y along. Thinking about her and Keith¡¯s progress, I couldn¡¯t help but tease, ¡°Dr. Carline, you really know how to handle people.¡±


    ¡°Do I?¡± Lisa replied with a faint smile.


    Iughed. ¡°Just agree to that statement.¡±


    She smiled knowingly but didn¡¯t say anything else. I recalled the earlier scene and said, ¡°Lisa, you have no idea how excited I was when I heard


    Keith saying that he also liked you. I was ready to burst with joy, and


    I thought that you¡¯d definitely throw yourself into his arms.¡±


    ¡°And yet I didn¡¯t. Surprising, right?¡± she replied with a chuckle.


    ¡°Yeah. Were you so excited that you lost your mind back then?¡± I teased her yfully.


    Lisa pursed her lips. ¡°I was definitely excited, but I wasn¡¯t out of my mind. I acted calm on purpose.¡±


    Iughed. ¡°So, you were ying against expectations?¡±


    ¡°Something like that.¡± She sighed softly. ¡°Maddie, I¡¯ve liked him and been infatuated with him for years, but I¡¯ve also told


    you that while I love him, I can¡¯t let it make me forget myself or make him think that his response is some great favor to me.¡±


    Lisa¡¯s words made me reflect on our conversation and her previous advice. She had once said that my breakup


    with Chris was ultimately due to my inability to manage the bnce.


    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    I had to admit that although Lisa was new to rtionships, she was quite skilled at the game.


    ¡°Dr. Carline, you¡¯re a pro,¡± I said while giving her a thumbs up.


    ¡°Is that what you call being a pro?¡± she responded with a modest smile.


    remembered her yful tone when she was speaking to Keith and mimicked her, ¡°Keith, I¡¯m hungry now.¡±


    Sheughed. ¡°Wasn¡¯t that charming?¡±


    pretended to shiver. ¡°You¡¯ve got everyone weak in the knees. That¡¯s why I say that you¡¯re smart. You know how to be cool when you need to be and


    how to be sweet when it counts.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that what men like?¡±


    Lisa¡¯sment made me feel a bit embarrassed. I had ten years of unrequited love and four years of a clear rtionship experience.


    ¡°You win. You¡¯re the best. Maybe I should start calling you Ms. Carline from now on.¡± I teased her.


    Lisa gave a light smile. ¡°Why are you home alone? Where¡¯s Mr. Howell?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s in his own room.¡±


    As soon as I said this, Lisa asked, ¡°What¡¯s going on? Is Aunt Flo here?¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s Uncle Flo,¡± I quipped, making herugh heartily


    Seeing her smiling brightly, I said, ¡°Don¡¯t justugh. What about the follow¨Cup with Mr. Marrow? How did he feed you when you were hungry?¡±


    I was being suggestive. But Lisa, who was an expert in these matters, understood immediately. ¡°How did he feed me? You can imagine that yourself.¡±


    ¡°Seriously, are we still best friends? Why are you hiding things from me?¡± I teased.


    Lisa snorted. ¡°Even best friends can¡¯t share everything.¡±


    ¡°But there is one thing I need to share with you.¡± I had been thinking about the man who had been eavesdropping at Lisa¡¯s office door earlier.

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    ¡°There¡¯s no need to share any private details,¡± Lisa said, thinking that I was joking.


    But I replied seriously, ¡°Have you clearly rejected that suitor of yours?¡±


    ¡°Of course. I turned him down immediately.¡±


    ¡°But he hasn¡¯t given up. Otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t have sent you the takeout and flowers. And¡­¡± I paused for a


    moment, then continued, ¡°He was spying on you.¡±


    Her expression grew serious. I recounted how I had bumped into him at the door.


    Remembering that I almost had an incident with a date who had followed me, I warned her, ¡°Be careful, Liz. Men like this might try other


    things. Watch out when you¡¯reing and going, or driving.¡±


    Lisa didn¡¯t respond but instead walked out.


    ¡°Where are you going? Did you hear what I said?¡± I asked her.


    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    She approached the nurse who was dozing at the nurse station and said, ¡°Please pull up the surveince footage from around 8:30 pm tonight. I


    want to see who entered and exited my office.¡±


    Her precise timing was likely because she remembered it so clearly due to Keith¡¯s confession.


    The nurse promptly retrieved the footage, and Lisa turned to me. ¡°The person you¡¯re talking about might not be my suitor.¡±


    ¡°Hmm?¡± I was puzzled.


    ¡°I¡¯ve already confirmed the person in question with the patient¡¯s


    family. He isn¡¯t local and left yesterday. The items he sent today were ordered online.¡± Her exnation left me baffled.


    But the man had clearly been eavesdropping and seemed quite nervous.


    Soon, the nurse disyed the footage. ¡°Dr. Carline, is this the person?¡±


    Lisa had never seen him before, so she turned the screen toward me. ¡°Is this him?¡±


    The man in the video was wearing a gray hoodie. It had to be him.


    The footage also showed the moment I collided with him. She spoke up. ¡°I¡¯m sure this is not the suitor, and I don¡¯t know this man.¡±


    From the video, it was clear that the man had been listening for quite a while.


    ¡°Rewind the video,¡± Lisa instructed the nurse.


    As the footage yed backward, Lisa and I realized that the man had followed Keith.


    ¡°This person was looking for Mr. Marrow?¡± I asked her


    ¡°It appears so from the video, but we don¡¯t know his intentions,¡± she replied. My mind was already racing with various possibilities.


    Considering that being a doctor was a dangerous profession, I couldn¡¯t help but caution, ¡°Could he be seeking revenge against Mr. Marrow?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s possible.¡± She agreed. ¡°I¡¯ll send him a screenshot of the video.¡±


    Lisa ended the call, but the image of the man¡¯s panicked reaction after our collision kept shing in my mind.


    I couldn¡¯t handle worries; they would invade my dreams and disturb my sleep.


    Sure enough, this man intruded into my dreams, and I ended up having a dramatic dream where we were holding hands and getting married. I woke up


    feeling utterly absurd.


    As usual, Brandon had left for his workout early, and breakfast was ready. After we finished, we headed to the hospital.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to buy a bouquet for Ellie.¡± I knew she liked flowers, so I got out of the car at the hospital entrance.


    Brandon went to park the car, and I took the flowers to Ellie¡¯s ward. However, as soon as I entered the hospital lobby, I saw the man from yesterday agai


    He seemed to have seen me too.


    No! More urately, he had been staring at me the whole time.


    Was this man targeting me?


    I looked around. There were plenty of people, so it se

 Redmption 330

    Redmption 330


    The man didn¡¯t try to escape this time. He stood his ground and watched me steadily.


    ¡°Do you know me?¡± I asked directly as I approached him.


    ¡°No.¡±


    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    I sized him up. He wasn¡¯t striking at first nce, but he became more attractive the more one looked at him.


    Today, he was wearing a light blue T¨Cshirt instead of the gray hoodie from yesterday. He looked clean and well¨Cgroomed.


    ¡°It seems like our encounters have been a bit too frequent from yesterday to today,¡± I subtly suggested that he might be lying.


    ¡°We really don¡¯t know each other, but you look very much like someone I know,¡± he said. I couldn¡¯t help butugh at his clumsy attempt at a pickup line.


    Noticing my mockery, his cheeks flushed slightly. ¡°I¡¯m serious. I have a photo.¡±


    He pulled out his phone, tapped it a few times, and showed me a picture. I looked from his face to the phone and was genuinely taken aback.


    The photo was of ady with her hair in a bun, and her smile was very radiant. She looked quite simr to me. The main difference was the beauty mark


    I stared at thedy in the photo for a while before looking back at him. ¡°She does look like me, but I don¡¯t/ know her.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡± He put his phone away, and his voice was now a bit subdued.


    ¡°So, why are you following me?¡± I noticed that he was wearing sneakers rather than formal shoes.


    He didn¡¯t reply.


    I assumed he was feeling guilty and said bluntly, ¡°Following me like this could be considered stalking. I could report you to the police.¡±


    His gaze faltered slightly. ¡°I really don¡¯t have any ill intentions.¡±


    ¡°Even if you don¡¯t, an unknown man following me makes me feel scared and uneasy. Do you understand?¡± My tone was firm, as if I was


    giving a lecture to a subordinate.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry!¡± He lowered his head slightly.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think you have any bad intentions. I¡¯ll ignore our encounters from yesterday and today, but don¡¯t let it happen again,¡± I warned him.


    He didn¡¯t respond, and I started to turn away.


    ¡°Wait,¡± he called out to me.


    ¡°I¡¯m Charles Collymore, a PhD student,¡± he said, showing me his student ID.


    I noticed the words ¡°Beckham University¡± on the card. That was one of the best universities in


    the country, and my impression of him immediately changed.


    Seeing him flee in a panic yesterday made me think that he had an unusual demeanor. Clearly, my judgment was correct.


    2/2


    ¡°Beckham University was my dream too, but I didn¡¯t get in,¡± I said before returning his student ID, making a self¨C


    deprecating remark that was also true.


    I didn¡¯t get in because of Chris. He didn¡¯t want to go, and of course, I didn¡¯t pass the entrance examter. I sacrificed my


    own dreams for love, which now felt foolish in retrospect.


    Charles looked at me with a pained expression. ¡°Thedy you saw earlier¡­ She¡¯s very ill. She may not be around much longer.¡±


    I was taken aback when I saw the sadness on his face. ¡°Is she your girlfriend?¡±


    He swallowed hard. ¡°No, she¡¯s my mentor.¡±


    She was also an exceptional woman, but she fell ill.


    ¡°What kind of illness does she have? Can you tell me?¡± asked cautiously.


    At that moment, he seemed shrouded in sorrow, and his demeanor was heart¨Cwrenching. ¡°It¡¯s not an illness. It was a car ident from a year ago.¡±


    His words were rough, but I understood. Seeing his distress, I blurted out, ¡°Was the car ident your fault?¡±


    Charles¡® head drooped lower, and he gave a soft hum.


    I began to understand his sadness and why he was following me. He must be reminiscing about his mentor from a


    year ago, perhaps seeing some resemnce in me.


    Unsure of how tofort him, I asked, ¡°Is your mentor never going to wake up?¡±


    Otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t have said she might not be around much longer.


    ¡°Yeah, she¡¯s just being kept alive by a respirator now,¡± he said, and a wave of sadness swept over me.

 Redmption 331

    Redmption 331


    ?


    Charles'' mentor would die if the respirator was removed.


    "You should be by her side now to apany her through the final moments," I reminded him.


    "I know. I''ll go to her now." He looked at me with gratitude. "Sorry for the disturbance."This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    I offered a faint smile. "I hope there will be a miracle."


    Without another word, he left. As I watched him walk away, my feelings toward him werepletely different fromst night.


    "What are you staring at? I''ve been calling you." Brandon approached and took the flowers from my hand.


    I wasn''t sure how to exin Charles'' situation to Brandon, especially since I hadn''t mentioned


    the incident with Charles fromst night, and his story was quiteplex.


    More than that, I felt inexplicably downhearted, partly because of Charles'' words about his mentor not being around much longer.


    "Brandon, why do you think two people without any blood rtion can look so alike?" I asked him.


    "People are made up of genes. With so many people in the world, it''s normal for genes to be simr," he answered in a very official tone.


    I thought about why Charles was following me and asked, "Do you think one day you might look for traces of me in people who resemble me?" "Why would I do that?" Brandon asked in a sharp tone.


    I looked into his eyes. "Just hypothetically."


    "To me, you are just you," he said firmly.


    I smiled helplessly. "I was just asking. You could have answered casually. I wasn''t looking for anything deeper."


    He gently brushed a stray hair from my cheek. "No matter what, I won''t search for your reflection in anyone else. You are unique."


    Iughed at his words. "Got it. Let''s go."


    Holding the flowers in one hand and my hand in the other, Brandon asked, "Why the sudden question?"


    "I saw a photo earlier. There''s ady who looks almost exactly like me." I paused. "The resemnce was uncanny."


    I had initially only been struck by


    how simr I looked to thedy in the photo, but as the image lingered in my mind, I realized that the resemnce was even stronger than I had first thought.


    "Does she really look that much like you?" Brandon seemed surprised.


    "Yeah, which is why I''m worried you might mistake someone else for me one day," I teased.


    This time, Brandon didn''t argue or defend himself. Instead, he asked, "Where did you see this?"


    "I saw it on a man''s phone."


    "On a man''s phone?"


    "Yeah, a very young PhD student..." I then briefly exined the incident with Charles.


    Brandon fell silent.


    I sensed that something was off. I tilted my head to look at him and even tapped his palm. "What''s wrong? Are you jealous again?" "No," he denied.


    Seeing his expression, I huffed. "Why are you silent then? You''re clearly-"


    "Mae," Brandon interrupted me and stopped in his tracks. "Why didn''t you tell me about this yesterday?"


    "It was just a minor ident, so I didn''t mention it. I even mistook him for Lisa''s suitor," I exined.


    After exining, I chided him, "You don''t have to be so


    petty. Even though jealousy means you care, it makes me feel constrained and ufortable."


    "Mae, I''m not being petty. I''m


    worried. If he were a bad person with ulterior motives and you didn''t tell me, I wouldn''t be able to protect you. What if something happened to you?" he exined.


    I remained silent. I realized that I had been thinking too narrowly.


    "I''m sorry, I''ll definitely tell you next time," I said, reaching up to rub his face. "Don''t be mad."


    Brandon''s expression softened into


    a reluctant smile, signaling that he


    I


    wasn''t I


    olding a grudge. I tapped his


    palm yfully. "Mr. Howell, you look really handsome when you smile."


    As 1 pulled him forward, I looked up and saw three people standing not far from us, and they were all looking at me.

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    It seemed that they had been watching us for a while.


    So, they had to have seen those intimate moments between Brandon and me.


    I wasn''t sure if it was my imagination, but their expressions were quite somber.


    Since we had run into them face to face, I had to greet them.


    I walked over with Brandon. "Bree, Zack, Conrad."


    Bree was the first to smile. "Maddie, Brandon, what are you doing here?"


    I nced at Brandon. "We''re here to visit a friend."


    I didn''t mention Ellie''s situation because I knew that Brandon didn''t want her condition to be shared with others.


    If Zack and Bree knew about Ellie being hospitalized, they might go to visit her. Then, if Ellie asked about our rtionship with them, I would have a hard time exining.


    So, it was better not to say anything.


    After I finished speaking, I looked at Zack. He had to be supported to stand up, and he didn''t look well at


    all. It was clear that he was sick.


    "What''s wrong with Zack?"


    "He-"


    Bree began speaking, but Zack interrupted, "It''s just high blood pressure. It''s nothing serious."


    Bree nced at him. It was clear that he was not being truthful.


    It seemed that Zack, like me, was keeping something to himself. Our rtionship had clearly drifted further apart.


    I remembered that when he was sick before, he would always tell me first and ask for help finding medicine.


    "Maddie, do you need any help with anything here?" Conrad asked.


    "No, thank you," I declined his offer.


    There was a moment of silence until Brandon broke it saying, "Zack, let me and Mae apany you to see the doctor."


    His words were considerate, putting me in the position of someone who wanted to help.


    "It''s fine," Zack declined. "You two should just go about your business."


    Bree added, "Maddie, you cane visit Zack again once you''re done."


    "Alright. Brandon and I will head out then."


    Brandon nodded at Zack and Bree, and we left hand in hand.


    We hadn''t walked far when Bree sighed. "She has grown distant from us."


    "Don''t say such things. It''s just your own thinking," Zack chided.


    I swallowed hard, but Brandon''s grip on my hand tightened.


    Since a heart donor had been found, Ellie was now entering the


    el


    pre-surgery examination phase. So, Brandon and I spent the day apanying her through the tests.


    Swn


    Ellie was in high spirits, like a bird released from its cage. Even during the examinations, she remained cheerful, and her positive mood lifted us.


    Coincidentally, we ran into Zack again while we were with Ellie for her heart checkup.


    The earlier fabrications were immediately exposed, but they were innocent omissions, and no one paid them much attention.


    After the checkup, Ellie asked me, "Maddie, are they your rtives?"


    "They''re my adoptive parents," I rified Zack and Bree''s rtionship.


    "Is the younger man who is a bit taller their son?" she inquired further.


    "Yes, I call him Conrad. Don''t tell me you''re also finding him attractive?" I teased.


    She shook her head. "No, but he kept staring at you. His gaze was a bit... hard to describe."


    Iughed. "You''ve been watching him quite a bit too."


    "I have to keep an eye out for Bran. What if another man likes you and tries to pursue you?" Ellie''s cuteness was absolutely irresistible. Brandon tapped her on the head with his finger. "Oh? And you think you can stop anyone from pursuing her?"


    "I can," she


    tell him that


    Your Sticking out her need to get my approval die is


    yours. If he wants to pursue


    he''ll


    Brandon and I bothughed at her. Then, she asked, "Maddie, does Conrad have a brother?"Owned by N?velDrama.Org.

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    My expression stiffened as Brandon gave Ellie a light tap on the forehead. "You''re acting like you''re checking the civil registry." She pouted at him. "I was just asking out of curiosity."


    I turned to him. ¡°The checkup is done. You should take her to get something to eat. I''m going to check on something.¡±


    "Maddie, what are you going to do?" Ellie asked, her curiosity piqued.


    Brandon understood my intention and gently pushed her along as he said, "You weren''t this chatty before. Have you turned into a chatterbox sinceing here?"


    "I''m talking more because I''m worried I might not get the chance toter." Her words left Brandon silent and affected me deeply.


    It turned out that Ellie was also afraid she wouldn''t make it through the surgery.


    "Stop talking nonsense." Brandon patted her on the head lightly.


    Ellie linked her arm through his, and they walked away until they were out of sight. I then turned to find Zack.


    "Maddie, why are you back again?" Bree asked when she saw me.


    "I''m worried about Zack," I replied honestly.


    I told Ellie earlier that Zack and Bree were my adoptive parents because I truly consider them as my own parents in my heart.


    "I''ve already said that it''s nothing." Zack''s voicecked strength. It was clear that something was wrong. "Don''t lie to me if you see me as your daughte


    "It''s just high blood pressure and a bit of tightness in the chest," Conrad interjected.


    Bree nodded immediately. "Yes, he attended two banquets recently and had some wine. That''s why he''s


    like this."


    Even with Bree''s exnation, I was still doubtful. I looked at Conrad anxiously.


    "Mom, Dad, wait here for the checkup. I need to go outside to make a call." Conrad used this as an excuse to leave.


    I added, "Bree, Zack, I''ll go get you some water."


    Conrad was already waiting for me outside. He suggested, "Let''s sit in the cafe for a bit since my mom''s around to handle things."


    I followed him to the cafe and asked, "What exactly is wrong with Zack?"Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    "Recently, he''s been coughing a lot.


    We


    an had him do a checkupst week,


    results suggest that it might


    be small-cell lung cancer,


    Conrad''s words left me stunned. I couldn''t speak for a long time.


    Eventually, he looked at me and said, "Maddie."


    "Has it been confirmed?" My voice trembled.


    "It''s mostly confirmed." His voice was also subdued.


    We fell silent for a while.


    Then, I asked, "What does the doctor say about this disease? Are there any good treatment options?"


    "Dad still needs to do further tests to


    see if it has spread before the doctor can determine a treatment n." Conrad took a sip of his coffee.


    "Does Bree know?" I asked.


    §Ú


    He shook his head slightly. "I only told her that there''s inmmation in his lungs. She can''t keep secrets,


    and I''m afraid that she''ll te#boy dad."


    "What about Chris? He should know, right?" I looked at Conrad.


    ¡°We''ll tell him once it''s confirmed." As an outsider, I didn''t have much say in his ns.


    "Maddie," Conrad said. "The matter with Chris leaving thepany really has nothing to do with me."


    At this moment, that issue seemed trivial and irrelevant.


    I remained silent, and he gave a dry smile. "It looks like you still don''t believe me."


    "This woman trusts no one," a voice interjected, and before I could react, the person pulled out a chair and sat down with us uninvited.


    Hooked at Yerick, who had appeared without a sound and felt a headacheing on.


    Yerick grinned at me with a mischievous look. "Madeline, you''re quite the yer. Are you juggling several men at once?"


    He really couldn''t say anything nice, could he?


    Conrad''s face darkened. "Who are you?"


    "I''m her boy toy. She tackled and touched me all over the first time we met-Ahh!"

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    Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    Yerick''s words were interrupted by his scream as I sshed my coffee directly onto his face.


    Yerick, who had been sitting, immediately jumped up while wiping the coffee off his face. He scolded me, "What''s wrong with you? Are you crazy?"


    Holding the empty coffee cup, I pointed at him and said, "If you ever try to pull something like this again, I''ll smash this cup over your head and then send you off to the police station.¡±


    He was wearing a white T-shirt today, and the coffee stain had spread, leaving him looking like aplete mess, with coffee dripping from his hair. Despite this, he remained defiant. "Madeline, don''t think you can scare me with this. I''m not afraid. I...¡±


    I didn''t listen to the rest of his words and walked out of the cafe.


    Conrad followed closely. "Who was that?"


    "He''s Jewel''s younger brother," I replied, pulling out a wet wipe from my bag to clean the coffee off my fingers.


    "Does he often harass you?" he asked.


    "It''s been a few times." I tossed the used wipe into the nearby trash can.


    Conrad didn''t say anything further. I didn''t dwell on the matter and said, "Your dad will probably be admitted to the hospital, right?"


    "He''s already admitted, in Room 812 of Virtue Tower."


    I nodded. "I''ll visit himter."


    "Alright. I''ll go get some things. You go ahead and take care of your tasks," he suggested.


    As I walked away, I remembered Ellie had mentioned she had never had a milkshake or coffee, so I turned back to the cafe and saw Yerick trailing Co I was stunned by this scene.


    So Conrad had asked me to leave so he could deal with Yerick?


    I didn''t approach them but waited until they were out of sight before buying the milkshake and coffee.


    Ellie was sitting on the bed in the ward, staring nkly out the window.


    Thinking about what I had heard her say to Brandon earlier, and seeing her like this now, really made my


    heart ache.


    After taking a deep breath, I thought about her usual cheerful self and tried to lighten the mood." Princess, tea time!"


    Ellie turned her head, and her eyes brightened instantly. She really could have made a great actress with her talent for managing emotions. "Did you buy these for me, Maddie?" she asked with joy.


    "Yes, one is coffee, and the other is milkshake. They''re both for you," I said as I opened them for her.


    She didn''t hesitate and took a sip from each cup before nodding approvingly. "Different vors, different experiences. I like them both."


    "Enjoy them at your own pace. When


    you''re better, you can open a


    milkshake shop or a cafe and enjoy


    unlimited coffee and milkshakes," I said, though I hadn''t nned to suggest it.


    "Alright! It''s a promise," she replied enthusiastically, reaching out for a high-five.


    Although whether this n would actually work depended on Brandon''s approval, I had already


    I returned her high-five.


    made the suggestion, et


    Ellie tried the coffee first. The bitterness made her frown, but she kept drinking andmenting, "The aftertaste is quite nice."


    "If you don''t want to drink it, just leave it. The milkshake is sweet.¡± I didn''t want her to force herself.


    "I do want to drink it. Life is all about


    experiencing the bitterness before enjoying, the sweetness, isn''t it?" Although Ellie was young, she seemed to have learned a loDabout life already.


    Thinking about her uncertainty regarding the future, I sat beside her and said, ¡°After the surgery, your life will be as sweet as honey."


    She smiled. "Of course. Because I have the most loving brother and sister-inw."


    She stayed strong in front of me, but I looked around and didn''t see Brandon. "Where''s Brandon?"


    "He went out to take a call," she said while savoring her coffee.


    I stood up. "I''ll go find him."

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    "Maddie, you''re really clingy." Ellie''sment made me a bit embarrassed. But she then added yfully," But I really like it."


    "Kid, you''re so annoying," I teased, giving her a mock scolding. She burst into giggles.Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    I stepped out of the ward and nced down the corridor. It was empty.


    Since Ellie mentioned that Brandon was taking a call, he had to have gone somewhere less crowded. After a moment of thought, I headed toward the As I approached, I heard Brandon''s voice.


    "The car repair shop is gone, but the mechanics should still be around. Find a way


    to track them down... Of course, it''s necessary. I need to clear things up with Madeline and clear my father''s name."


    My heart tightened slightly upon hearing this.


    Over the past few days, I had been debating whether to investigate the brake issue from the ident further. But it seemed that he was already doing


    As soon as he finished the call, I was about to approach him when his phone rang again, so I stopped.


    The door to the emergency stairs was slightly ajar. I saw Brandon holding a cigarette between his fingers as he answered the phone, "You''re back... Yes, we came together... What? Things are stalled without us?


    ¡°I know. There''s no need for you toe. It''s already suspicious enough... It won''t dy anything. I''m still working on the code..."


    I was very familiar with what he was saying. It was rted to thepany''s matters. So, was the person on the phone Xander?


    The way Brandon spoke was exactly how Xander''s boss would.


    The wealthy man from the Howell family...


    It seemed... that I had been deceived.


    But he had assured me that he wouldn''t lie.


    Could there be something that he was keeping from me?


    Brandon finished his call and found me on the other side of the hospital corridor. He stood beside me and asked quietly, "What are you doing here?"


    "I was looking for you but couldn''t find you," I lied.


    "I was on the phone." Brandon studied my face. "How is Zack?"


    "He has lung cancer." The words came out heavy and somber from my mouth.


    I knew all too well what this disease meant. No amount of money could change it.


    Back when was at Gildon


    Corporation, a colleague of minegot this disease at the age of 33. From the date of their diagnosis to passing away, there were less than a hundred days.


    Although Zack wasn''t my biological father, his love for me over the past decade had made me see him as


    my


    ewn father. I couldn''t bear the thought of losing him


    .n


    Brandon seemed to understand my feelings and gently embraced me. "Medical advancements havee a long way. There might still be hope. Even though cancer is stillrgely incurable, there are different types and stages." Content belongs


    to NovelDrama.Org


    I leaned on his shoulder. "I''m terrified of losing people. It seems like I''m constantly facing loss."


    "That''s how life is-losing and gaining." He gently stroked my hair.


    "Brandon, I now understand why you''ve been so hesitant about Ellie''s surgery. I..." I hesitated. "I''m also feeling regret and fear."


    I didn''t specify what I was afraid of, but he understood.


    He kissed the side of my head. "It''s going to be okay. She''s such a wonderful person, and we love her so much. She will be alright."


    I hoped for the best and prayed in my heart silently.


    While Brandon and I were holding each other, a soft cough came from a short distance away. I slightly opened my eyes and saw Lisa. She gave me a sly look and said, "Mr. Howell, Mr. Marrow is looking for you.''


    Brandon released me, but I held onto his hand tightly. Keith''s call likely meant discussions about the surgery. Although I didn''t speak, he understood my concern. He gave me a reassuring look before leaving.


    Lisa approached, and I expected her to tease me, but instead, she said, "Ellie''s surgery might not be possible."

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    My heart sank as I thought about the tests that Ellie had undergone earlier today. "Are the test results unfavorable?"


    Lisa tucked her hands into the pockets of her white coat and shook her head slightly. "Not quite. The issue lies with the donor."


    I was puzzled. "What do you mean?"


    "The donor is a brain-


    dead patient on life support. The family had initially consented to donate all organs but has since reversed their decision," she exined.


    I understood the implications. This donor was a suitable match for Ellie, and if the donation was withdrawn, she would have


    to wait for another suitable donor, with no certainty on how long that might take.


    "Do you know why they''ve changed their minds?" I inquired.


    Lisa made a dismissive gesture with her lips. "No. We only received a notification. As you know, donor information is confidential."


    Thinking about Ellie''s anticipation for her new life, I could only imagine how disappointed she would be if she found out that the surgery couldn''t proceed for now.


    At the thought of Brandon being called away, I asked, ¡°Is that what Mr. Marrow wanted to discuss with Brandon?"


    "It''s likely," Lisa said, giving me a nudge. "Don''t be disheartened. There are certainly alternative solutions, though the transnt will have to be dye


    "I see. If hospitalization can''t be


    arranged immediately, perhaps we should consider having her discharged temporarily and take her out for a while," I suggested.


    "You can decide since she''s your sister-inw," Lisa teased.


    I nudged her back yfully. "Tell me more about your rtionship with Mr. Marrow. How''s it progressing?"


    "What progress? We''ve had only two days off. My shifts and his overtime don''t leave much room for romance between us." Her response made me smile.


    "Will you only take a break when the Earth explodes? How can you possibly nurture a rtionship under these conditions?" I teased. "Even if it''s difficult, I have to make an effort. I''m already devising strategies," Lisa said, showing determination.


    Tasked with a curious expression, "Do you have any solutions? Don''t tell me you''re nning to give up being a doctor for marriage?" "No way. I want to be the youngest obstetrics and gynecology professor. What would I be doing with someone who specializes in cardiology?" she said firmly.


    Her perspective was pragmatic. After all, a woman should not relinquish her career ambitions for the sake of a rtionship.


    "You know better than I do how to


    N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    handle it after so many years of unrequited love bing a reality,


    so l''bkeep quiet." I raised my hand in surrender. Content belongs to


    Lisa''s gaze fell on the ring on my finger. "So, once Ellie''s surgery is done, are you and Brandon nning to hold the wedding?"


    I wasn''t sure about that myself.


    "But Brandon isn''t exactly wealthy. If he spends more on Ellie''s surgery, he might not have enough left for the wedding. Given his nature, he probably wouldn''t want to


    compromise on your happiness. So, it might take some time," she


    analyzed. Content belongs to


    I thought about the phone call I overheard earlier. "Lisa, do you think Brandon looks like he''s broke?"


    "He doesn''t seem so,


    but


    appearances can be deceiving.


    Many people wear designer brands and sky jewelry, but their phones are full of debt reminders. On the other hand, some dress modestly but are worth millions.¡± Lisa reflected.


    "Do you think Brandon might be one of those who''s modest but wealthy?¡± I asked.


    She looked at me. "Is it really appropriate to ask me about your man''s financial status?"


    "I just don''t know, and that''s why I asked for your help. After all, you''re the expert on people," I teased her." Aren''t you, Dr. Carline?"


    Just then, Lisa''s phone rang. She answered, "Hello... What? Okay. I''ll be right there.¡±


    She put away her phone and looked at me. "I need to go back to the department. There''s a disturbance with a patient and their family."


    This was no small matter. I waved her off. "Go ahead."


    But as she walked away, I suddenly felt a warm sensation.


    Oh no!

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    Aunt Flo was here!


    "Wait up!" I called out to Lisa while jogging after her. "You jinxed it. My period just started. Do you have any sanitary supplies here?"


    She pulled the key to the break room from her pocket and handed it to me. "Help yourself."


    We took the elevator to her office. Before we even saw anyone, we could hear angry voices.


    "You shameless woman! You married my son and then fooled around with other men, causing my son''s death.


    "You''re pregnant with an illegitimate child and still have the nerve to im that it''s from the Goodwin family. Do you think we don''t know your real motiv


    Lisa had already rushed off, but I was momentarily stunned. These usations sounded oddly familiar.


    Even though I urgently needed to find a restroom, I couldn''t help but move closer to themotion.


    Before I even got close, I heard a familiar voice saying, "This child is definitely from the Goodwin family. We''ll know for sure once it''s born and tested."


    It was Jewel. No wonder she had sounded so familiar!


    "A paternity test? Do you think we''ll trust that? We know that you''ve hooked up with a wealthy man and can manipte any result. But we''re sure that


    "Everyone,e see this shameless woman. She was caught cheating


    by my son, and then she caused his ident. Who will punish this woman and avenge my son?"


    After she was done speaking, Mny ss started crying in distress.


    Then, I heard Lisa''s voice trying to calm her. "Madam, this is a hospital. Please don''t cause a scene here. It might affect the other patients."


    Was Lisa really telling her not to cause a scene there? Would it be okay if they moved somewhere else then?


    I couldn''t help but smile to myself. Lisa had probably recognized Jewel, which was why she was using such persuasive words.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    "Doctor, I''m not causing trouble. This woman and her lover are responsible for my son''s death. He was our only child..."


    This situation was truly heartbreaking.


    "Madam, this is a private family matter. It''s not appropriate to discuss it here. You should continue this conversation outside the hospital. Mny shook her head. "I want everyone to hear how shameless this woman is. She had an affair and caused her husband''s death." Lisa tried again. ¡°Madam, please lower your voice."


    "No, I want everyone to hear this! Not only will I shout here, but I''ll follow her wherever she goes and continue to expose her!"


    I couldn''t help but smile at Lisa''s attempts to calm the situation down. It was clear that she was stoking the mes rather than soothing them.


    Lisa''s mouth curved up into a wry smile as she addressed Jewel, "Why don''t you leave for now and let the elderlydy calm down?"


    Jewel''s face flushed red, and her


    ??


    eyes were brimming with tears. It was evident that it would be useless no matter what she said now. Defeated, she turned to leave.


    But Mny''s anger had already reached its peak. Seeing Jewel try to leave, she grabbed Jewel.


    Mny''s wrinkled hand clutched Jewel''s long ck hair, and Jewel let out a cry of pain.


    In her fury, she wed and scratched at Jewel. Her actions were fueled by either rage or grief for her deceased son.


    Most of the people around were


    el


    heavily pregnant, and seeing themotion; they all kept their distance, avoiding any involvement. Jewel was left to endure Mny''s assault, and even from a distance, I could see how painful it was.


    "I''ll make sure you get what''s


    coming to you for trying to swindle my son''s money with your


    illegitimate child!" Mny yelled, her rage unabated. She bent down and aimed her head toward Jewel''s pregnant belly.

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    If Mny hit Jewel''s pregnant belly head-on, Jewel''s baby would certainly be at risk.


    Even though Mny refused to acknowledge the baby, Chris had imed that the


    child wasn''t his butn''s posthumous child. If anything happened, it would mean the end of the Goodwin family''s bloodline.


    My heart raced, and I ran toward them instinctively.


    Lisa, who was closest, also understood the dire consequences and immediately grabbed Mny." Madam, you can''t do this."


    Jewel had reached her breaking point. "Let her hit me! If she does, then the Goodwin family will be wiped out!"


    "How dare you still im that this child is ours? I''m going to make sure that it''s tested right here and right now!" Mny was clearly beyond reason. Jewel was infuriated, matching Mny''s anger. "Fine! Let''s see right here if it''s really the Goodwin family''s child!"


    I didn''t want to get involved, but a child''s life was at stake, especially one that had been left by a deceased person.


    strode over and grabbed Jewel. "Are you really willing to sacrifice this baby?"


    Jewel was momentarily stunned by my intervention, and her face reddened further.


    "Come with me," I urged her.


    "Who are you? You can''t take her away! I want her to pay for my son''s death today!" Mny was frenzied


    I nced at Lisa, who was holding back Mny. "Madam, if your son''s death was


    unjust, there are legal ways to seek justice. Your current actions won''t avenge him but will only bring you harm."


    Lisa''s persuasive skills were impressive. Her words only fueled Mny''s anger more. "My only son is gone! No one will bury me when I die. I''ve long s wished for death!"


    It was a dangerous spiral toward mutual destruction.


    "Why aren''t you leaving?" I snapped at Jewel.


    This time, she followed me. Seeing her leave, Mny continued to scream and curse even more viciously.


    Once we turned the corner and Mny was out of sight, I finally released Jewel and stopped.


    Her hair was a mess, and her face was marked with red handprints. Blood was smeared at the corner of her mouth. She looked quite pitiful. There was a saying that those who were pitiable also


    had something hateful about them. Jewel deserved what had happened to her for causingn''s death.


    "Do you think I deserve this?" Jewel asked me.


    Ismirked. "Yes."This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    Her eyes shed with anger.


    smiled slightly and said, "A few ps can''t make up forn''s life."


    Her eyes trembled, and she began to lose control. Her voice was sharp as she said, "He caused his own ident. Why should I be med?"


    She actually believed she wasn''t to me and showed no remorse forn''s death. It was a life lost because of her betrayal.


    Although I didn''t know the details of


    lan''s feelings for her, the fact that his life was so profoundly affected by her betrayal, to the point of costing him his life, was enough to show how deeply he loved her.


    But what did his love bring him?


    It brought betrayal, ack of remorse, and a repeated desire to erase his only surviving legacy from this world.


    At that moment, I felt an unexpected


    surge of anger on his behalf. He shouldn''t have loved someonedike her, and he certainly shouldn''t have sacrificed his life for her.


    My anger boiled over. "If you hadn''t been involved with Chris, wouldn have had the ident?"


    Redmption 338 3


    She seemed humiliated by my words, and her facial expression turned bad. "How dare you say that? What do you know about Chris'' feelings for me?"

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    Looking at Jewel, who refused to ept the truth, I smirked mockingly. "Chris and I have known each other since we were kids. We''ve shared everyth times a day he farts and poops."


    I quoted Derick when he was teasing Chris and mest time.


    Jewel stumbled slightly, shaking her head. "No, it''s not like that."


    "If you don''t believe me, then try it," I said, my voiceced with menace.


    Jewel was speechless, staring at me nkly before turning and staggering out.


    I watched her back as she left, thinking about her behavior today. After a few seconds of contemtion, I


    still decided to call Chris.


    At that moment, I had forgotten that he was ying the disappearing act, not answering anyone''s calls.


    "Maddie." Chris'' voice came from the other end.


    When he picked up the phone, his low voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I remembered everyone''s concern for him and Zack''s current condition and asked, "Where are you? You''re not a kid anymore, yet you''d still pull this disappearing act?"


    I had no desire to scold him, nor did I think his disappearance or running away had anything to do with me. But my words cut loose, revealing the bitterness I''d been holding back. I was done with his games and my anger spoke for itself.


    Chris was silent on the other end, which only fueled my anger.


    "Chris."


    "Did you only call to chew me out?" he asked softly.


    I let out a cold snort. "I''m not that bored."


    "Yes, I guess I''m not even worth your scolding anymore." Chris'' dejected tone got on my nerves.


    "Chris, what''s with the melodrama again? Running away at the drop of a hat, is this still you?" I questioned mockingly.


    Chris let out a mocking chuckle. "I''m only human, and I need a break sometimes too."


    Hearing this, I didn''t bother to say more just responded, "Well,


    e you run off, make sure


    woman behaves."


    Chris was silent for a moment on the other end, then asked, "What happened to Jewel?"


    It was ironic how he automatically assumed it was about Jewel.


    But I had moved on, so I told the


    truth.


    baby


    e wants to get rid of the et


    she had a heated


    argument withn''s mother today."


    "Then, she''s ying with fire." Chris dropped a harsh remark.


    I was stunned into silence, and momentster Chris hung up.


    stood there, dazed, slowly moving the phone away from my ear. I realized I hadn''t mentioned anything about Zack.


    "Why are you standing here?" Brandon''s voice sounded


    I looked up at him, my mouth moved, but I didn''t know what to say.


    "Mommy, thatdy is bleeding from her butt." A child''s innocent voice suddenly piped up.


    The child''s mother hushed the child.


    This made me look over to see the mother and child watching me.


    It was only then that I realized something. I quickly grabbed Brandon. "My pants are stained."


    He paused, then looked at me. "You..."


    Embarrassed, I buried my head in his chest. "It''s my period."


    The next second, I felt him gently pull away. He grasped his shirt''s- hem and took off his T-shirt incone swiftmotion. Then, with a deft twist, he cinched it around my waist.


    My gaze was fixed on his bare torso. I stared at his firm chest muscles and his well-defined abs.


    I had never seen Brandon in the sunlight before, even though we were together.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    A strange warmth crept up my nose, and before I knew it, warm liquid trickled down.

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    I couldn''t believe that my nose was bleeding. How embarrassing!


    I''d only seen things like that happening


    on TV before, and I''d thought that it was done just foredic effect. I never imagined that it would happen to me.


    "Mae, your nose is bleeding!" Brandon eximed, raising his hand to wipe it for me.


    But I reacted faster, quickly pinching my nostrils and tilting my head back. "It''s the heat."


    "Is it because you haven''t been drinking enough water? Brandon asked, very concerned.


    "Yes, I guess so..." I had no choice but to me it on dehydration.


    Brandon took out some tissues for me. "You''ve been running around a lot these past few days, and haven''t had time to drink enough water. I should h more attention."


    He was ming himself again.


    But, in a way, he was right.


    Even though the nosebleed wasn''t from dehydration, it was indeed because of him.


    Thankfully, the nosebleed stopped after a short while. Brandon immediately picked me up in his arms.


    Among the throngs of people in the hospital, he was holding me like a giant doll. There wasn''t a single person who didn''t stare.


    I couldn''t stand it.


    "Why are you carrying me? I can walk on my own. Put me down," I protested, hitting him lightly.


    Brandon didn''t respond. I knew the more I fussed, the more people would start specting, so I just buried my head in his chest.


    In the end, I didn''t go to Lisa''s resting room but returned to Ellie''s ward instead.


    Ellie, being a fellow woman, had some sanitary pads ready. Brandon even went out of his way to buy me some leak-proof panties to change into.


    I didn''t know how other girls interacted with their boyfriends. But I felt pretty embarrassed having him buy me leak-proof panties and sanitary pads. Ellie had to have been tired, as she was sleeping soundly. Neither Brandon nor I disturbed her.


    "Do you have cramps?" Brandon asked, demonstrating his understanding of the situation.


    I shook my head. ¡°No.¡±


    Now that I thought about it, it was strange. I didn''t even realize that my period was here this time. It hade two days early.


    Otherwise, I wouldn''t have ended up in such an embarrassing situation.


    "Brandon, I butted into something that wasn''t my ce today." I held the hot water he poured me, and told him about Jewel. "That''s not being nosy." Brandon surprisingly disagreed with me.


    ¨¦t


    I gave a mocking smile. "Brandon, k know you love me and you let me get away with a lot, but I made a mistake. Please don''t let your love for me cloud your judgment."


    "No." Brandon looked at me seriously. "You''re not wrong at all. Stopping her from hurting the baby was the right thing to do. Regardless of the the faults of adults, it''s


    uneptable to harm the unborn child. This is a matter of showing respect for and protecting life."


    Thest few words had a sacred quality to them, and I felt a pang of sentiment in my heart.


    I gave him a suggestive rub with my leg. "As expected of Soldier Boy."


    Brandon''s voice caught in his throat as he tensed up. "Don''t tease me."


    I understood the meaning behind those words and couldn''t help but chuckle.


    I''d noticed that since being with Brandon, Iughed out loud more often. I could be as charming and flirtatious as I wished.


    Brandon watched meugh, and there was a soft smile on his lips too.


    He was a straightforward and reserved man who rarely smiled. With his dearest sister still ill, his demeanor was even more somber.


    It was often said that the most charming face of love was when you were being yful and he was amused by you.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    I had always dreamed of the most perfect love, but my relentless pursuit ended in heartbreak. Yet, the


    love that found me gave me


    overy


    everything I could have asked for.


    Life was a journey filled with surprises. Keeping an open mind was important, for beauty often hid behind the unexpected.


    "I heard from Lisa that Ellie''s surgery might be dyed. Is that true?" I asked Brandon.


    He uttered a soft, affirmative sound and said, "Mr. Marrow mentioned that they have already initiated the process of finding another heart donor."

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    "That''s great."


    I felt grateful to Keith at this moment, never expecting him to be so thorough.Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    It was already a great stroke of luck that a professor of his stature would perform the surgery himself. But for him to also be so attentive to the heart donor was beyond my expectations.


    I knew that it was because of Lisa.


    "Do they know when the new heart will arrive?" I asked again.


    Brandon lowered his gaze. "I''m not sure."


    I nced at the clean yet chilly hospital corridor. "So, what does Mr. Marrow suggest? Should she stay in the hospital and wait, or go home to rest?"


    "I''ll let her go home and rest. Ellie had hardly ever left her vige due to her health and had never been to Hilcord. I want to take her around." Brandon shared his thoughts.


    I agreed. The fact that Ellie had never tried coffee or milkshakes before spoke to how alien the outside world was to her. She might have read about it in books, but she had never actually experienced it.


    "Alright." I supported his idea.


    I couldn''t help but think about the conversation I overheard at the stairwell, so I took the opportunity to probe him. "I''m concerned that if you continue to keep herpany, you won''t be able to go to the office."


    Brandon didn''t respond, so I continued with a sigh. "It''d be great to be the boss, then you wouldn''t have to work for money and could spend time with your family."


    He still didn''t reply. His nervousness must be about to reach a boiling point.


    Brandon had told me that he''d never lie, and I believed him. But I couldn''t understand why he was pretending to be poor in this situation and unwilling to tell the truth.


    Was there some hidden concern?


    Or did he not trust me?


    "Brandon, why do you think someone would pretend to be poor?" My question was abrupt and direct.


    His gaze sharpened, yet he remained silent.


    Iughed mockingly. "In novels and dramas, it''s usually because they don''t trust the person. Especially when men pretend to be poor, they want to test whether the woman they like is only after their money."


    I kept my gaze on Brandon''s, and he didn''t avoid my eyes. He didn''t seem guilty.


    But I had heard his conversation with Xander.


    "We all have our reasons for what we do. If someone''s keeping secrets, it''s likely for a valid reason," Brandon responded under my scrutiny.


    A wave of derision washed over me. "What a splendid reason he''s concocted." I sneered, forcing a smile.


    "I think it''s more about ack of trust."


    Brandon''s expression faltered


    slightly, had said this much, yet he still refused to reveal his identity." There was no point in pressing him further.


    "Mae..."


    "I''m going to find Lisa,¡± I interrupted him, shoving the ss of water l was holding into his hand. Then, I pulled the keys out of my pocket and dangled them in front of him and said, ¡°I need to return her keys.¡±


    Brandon nodded in response. I walked away with steady, deliberate steps.


    But honestly, I was still pretty upset that Brandon lied to me.


    But then I wondered, what was his reason for lying? Was he afraid of exposing his wealth? Did he suspect that I was after his money?


    If I were that kind of person, then the ''Gildon family''s fortune was no less than his.


    Even if things went wrong with Chris, if I were after money, I could have settled for Conrad, who had feelings for me.


    But I didn''t. Brandon should know that I didn''t care about money. I was also well-off, so I never had to look to a man for financial support.


    He said that there were reasons for hiding it, so maybe there really were.


    I arrived at Lisa''s office, but the nurse told me that she was currently performing a surgery. Lisa was indeed very busy.


    I put the keys to the break room in


    e


    Lisa''s drawer and left. However, didn''t go back to Ellie''s ward.


    Brandon''s refusal to be honest with


    me still bothered me. Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    I went to Zack''s ward, only to see two men in ck standing at the door. I recognized one of them as Arthur''s bodyguard.

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    Arthur was quite brazen. He didn''t even care if someone would report him for engaging in shady dealings.


    Arthur was visiting, so I couldn''t go in there. But I didn''t want to go to Ellie''s ward either, so I wandered into the hospital''s little garden.


    "Miss, can you y ball with me?" I hadn''t been sitting on the bench for long when a little girl of about three or four years old ran over, looking at me with eager eyes.


    Honestly, I didn''t want to y, but faced with those eyes, I couldn''t refuse. "Alright."


    I thought I''d humor her for a bit and then be done with it. But as we yed, I started thinking about the times when I was little and how my parents used to y ball with me.


    "Madeline, you''re a bit clumsy."


    "Madeline, you got hit again."


    "Madeline..."


    I was the young girl''s ymate, yet I was still being criticized. How ridiculous! But, honestly, was having a great time.


    "Tiffany!"


    With that call, the girl stopped in her tracks.


    I saw a beautiful woman dressed in a tube top and long pants.


    "Mommy, I''m ying with Madeline." The girl brushed back her hair that had gotten messy from running around.


    "Tiffany, Daddy''s done with work. We need to go," the woman called to her.


    Tiffany pouted. "No, I want to y a little longer, just a little longer."


    "No, if we''rete, Daddy won''t wait for us." The woman walked over, swaying on her seven-inch stilettos.


    Watching her walk like that, I was a bit worried. The grass was so soft, and if she lost her bnce, she could fall.


    But she was confident enough to wear them, making her way steadily to where Tiffany and I were.


    She ignored me and went straight to her daughter, saying, "Come on. Let''s go! You''re getting more and more difficult to deal with as you get older."


    "I don''t want to. I just want to y a bit longer... just a bit!" Tiffany insisted, holding up one finger.


    "Fine. y all you want. I''m leaving!" The woman got frustrated and tried to scare her daughter.


    It was an awkward situation, so I


    tried


    go


    I''ll


    help coax the child. "Tiffany, e first. Next time youe


    y with you again, oka


    "I won''t see you next time." Tiffany was a smart girl. She knew that we were just two strangers and that therewas no chance we''d see each other again.


    I reached out and patted her head. "We will. If it''s meant to be, we''ll meet again."


    "Let''s go! Let''s go!" the woman said impatiently already pulling Tiffany along. She muttered under her breath, "Didn''t I tell you not to y with strangers? What if she''s a


    human trafficker? She


    you!


    I was speechless.


    UMS


    kidnap


    "She is not! Madeline is my good friend. She ys with me, but none of you do!" Tiffany gave her mother a


    sassy retort.


    The woman grew even more furious. "How dare you talk back to me!"


    As the woman angrily raised her hand, I instinctively moved to protect Tiffany.


    At this point, a low, menacing voice growled, "Sally rk, you''re getting out of hand. How dare you hit my daughter!"This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    I shuddered when I heard this and looked up to see Arthur walking over.


    I nced at Tiffany, who was in my arms, then at Arthur, and then at the woman who was about my age. My jaw dropped to the floor.


    "Daddy!" Tiffany wriggled out of my protection and ran toward Arthur.


    He scooped her up in his arms and kissed her. "It''s okay. Daddy''s here."


    Sally''s nervousness was palpable, despite her heavy makeup. She swayed her hips as she hurried over.


    "Arthur, I was just teaching her not to talk to strangers. There are so many human traffickers nowadays. What if she gets kidnapped?"


    After she spoke, Sally shot me a re. I gave a helpless smile and turned to leave.


    But Arthur said, "She''s not a trafficker." Then, he turned to me and asked, "Isn''t that right, missy?"

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    I felt like I had to respond. But what came out of my mouth was something I might as well not have said


    at all. "Just because I''m not one now doesn''t mean that I won''t be in the future."


    Arthurughed, and Tiffany, who was in his arms,ughed along with him.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    "Daddy, Madeline is nice. She yed with me."


    This little girl sure knew how to tter me..


    A dark cloud passed over Tiffany''s mother''s face as she regarded me with a wary eye. She probably thought that I was yet another conquest of Arthur''s.


    "Alright then. You can y with her from now on," Arthur said as if I were someone close to him.


    I started to say something but thought better of it, as we were still in front of the child. So I just dismissed hisment as something he had said to pacify Tiffany. Arthur walked up to me with Tiffany in his arms. "Do you have time to y with my daughter? Name your price."


    Was he serious about having me babysit?


    Did he think everyone was as idle and bored as he was?


    But if I refused him in front of his woman and daughter, not only would it hurt his pride, but it would also upset Tiffany.


    I let out a dryugh. "Mr. Griffins is joking, of course. I''d be happy to spend time with your daughter, but I don''t need any money for it."


    Arthur nodded, then looked at the nervous woman beside him. "Get her contact information. Whenever she''s free, take Tiffany to see her." Sally immediately nodded. "Okay, Arthur. I didn''t know that this beautifuldy was your friend."


    She was so bitter that it was almost unbearable.


    Arthur ignored her, and she didn''t add my contact information. It was clear she looked down on me.


    "Let''s go. Didn''t you say you wanted to eat lobster today? I will take you there." Arthur kissed Tiffany again, visibly doting on his daughter.


    I couldn''t help but think of Eden. He was older than me, yet he had such a young sister and, of course, a stepmother who was even younger than him.


    I couldn''t imagine how he felt about this.


    "I want Madeline toe too." Tiffany suddenly extended an invitation to me.


    This little girl sure was bold and didn''t shy away from me.


    Before I could respond, Sally


    intervened, "Madeline has


    to do today. How about I


    We


    bring you to see her another day?"


    "No, I want Madeline toe with us," Tiffany insisted stubbornly.


    Oh dear, please don''t cause trouble for me," I silently pleaded in my heart.


    I was


    to find an excuse to


    decline without upsetting Tiffanyet


    but Arthur chimed in, "If you''re free,


    join


    us, missy."


    2/2


    Even if I were free, twouldn''t join them.


    I had to find an excuse. "Thank you, Mr. Griffins. But I need to keep Mr. Gildonpany."


    Arthur smiled. "In that case, we can''t insist. We were just talking about you earlier."


    They were talking about me? What about?


    Of course, I couldn''t ask, and Arthur was already walking off with his little daughter in his arms.


    Sally hurried after them. Anyone who didn''t know better would think they were a family spanning three generations.


    As they walked away, I headed to Zack''s hospital room


    He must have been tired from chatting with Arthur because his eyes were closed.


    I didn''t want to disturb him, so I sat


    there quietly, keeping himpany. Looking at the white hair at his temples, recalled how he looked ten years ago. The thoughts of all he''d done for me over the years shed before my eyes.


    I was lost in thought when I suddenly heard Zack call out, "Maddie."


    "Mr. Gildon." I looked at him, but he still had his eyes closed.


    He didn''t say anything else. It was as if he had called out to me in his dream.


    I paused for a few seconds, then tentatively said his name again, "Mr. Gildon..."

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    Zack didn''t respond, and I instantly felt a chill, reaching out to grab his arm.


    "Mr. Gildon! Mr. Gildon..."


    With a heavy gasp, Zack slowly opened his eyes. He looked at me, his gaze somewhat unfocused." Maddie, I almost couldn''t wake up just now."


    I immediately became anxious. "Mr. Gildon, I''ll call the doctor now."


    But Zack held me back, his voice weak. "It''s nothing. There''s no need to make a fuss. This isn''t the first time this has happened. It''s just sleep paralysis."


    I had heard of that before, but I''d only treated it as a joke. Now that Zack was sick with cancer, I fear this wasn''t as simple as sleep paralysis. It could be a sign of his worsening condition.


    I wasn''t a doctor, but I had somemon sense. Besides, I had a doctor friend like Lisa to consult.


    "Mr. Gildon, you should let the doctor take a look. I''m worried about you." I insisted on calling the doctor.


    The doctor came and did some routine checks, saying there wasn''t any problem. Zack''s condition earlier was likely due to being in a deep sleep. He could feel someone calling him and even respond, but he just couldn''t wake up.


    "See, I told you it was nothing." Zackughed at me for making a fuss.


    He didn''t realize how his face looked, and I didn''t want to say anything. I couldn''t let him see how sad I was, so I had to say, "It''s better to be careful. Look at you, always saying you''re fine, and now you''re lying here."


    "As people age, it''s like a machine that requires upkeep, nothing out of the ordinary." Zack seemed to be taking it in stride.


    I had to admit that Zack''s mindset had always been quite positive. Otherwise, he wouldn''t have been able to tolerate Bree''s erratic and unpredictable behavior.


    Despite being someone who was soid-back, he was still ill. It was said that illnesses were born from the mind. Although his cancer wasn''t caused by a moment of rage, Chris'' affair was certainly the catalyst.


    And I was one of the sparks that set off the trigger. If I hadn''t been part of the equation, Zack wouldn''t have gotten so riled up.


    "Mr. Gildon, at your age, you need to learn to let go. Don''t worry about anything you can''t control. Let go of your desire to control your children''s lives," I said, pausing for a moment. "Chris and I have alreadye to this point, whoever he chooses, you and Bree should just let it be."


    Zack didn''t say a word, which meant he was still sulking. This old man, though often easygoing, could be quite stubborn at times.


    I started massaging his arm. "Mr. Gildon, do you believe in destiny?"


    He didn''t respond, so I sighed softly. "I do. I believe what happened between Chris and me was meant to be."


    Fate had denied them theforts of a loving family. Chapter 344


    I wasn''t sure if my words had been too downbeat, but Zack shook his head. "Maddie, your parents didn''t believe in destiny when they were alive, and they didn''t just ept things as they were. Zack was right. I recalled my parents saying when I was young that our fate was in our own hands. As long as we didn''t give in to fate or surrender to destiny, we could turn our fate around and alter the course of events.


    Yet, fate had other ns and took their lives from them.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    The memory of the fatal car ident weighed heavily on my heart, and my mind wandered to my doubts about Zack. "Mr. Gildon, I''m sorry."


    Zack smiled. "Why are you suddenly saying this, kid?"


    "Mr. Gildon, I went to investigate my parents'' ident. I went to the traffic police department and looked into the ident report from that year." I confessed honestly.


    Zack was silent for a few seconds, then sighed. "You''re such a stubborn child."


    "Right, I''m still as strong-willed and stubborn as ever. You know me all too well," I said, poking fun at myself.


    Zack shook his head helplessly. "Kid..."


    I gave him a firm squeeze. "Mr. Gildon, when you call me that, it makes me feel like I''m still a child."

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    Zack looked at me with gentle eyes. It was the kind of look a father would give his daughter. "To me, you''ll always be the kid who never grows up. But I must say, being strong-willed and stubborn may serve you well in your work, but it''s not always good for you in life."


    Iprehended his perspective, yet individuals were endowed with their own unique tenacity and character. As the adage stated, nature was indeed more powerful than nurture.


    "Maddie, being a bit muddled can bring happiness, especially in life. You don''t need to have everything figured out, okay?" he advised me like a concerned father.


    Seeing his worried look and thinking about his illness, I nodded in agreement, even though I still held onto my principles.


    "Maddie," Zack called out to me.


    "Yes?"


    He shook his head slightly. "It''s nothing."


    "No, there''s definitely something on your mind." I could tell that he wanted to say something but was hesitating.


    Zack smiled. "Nothing gets past you."


    "Why would you hide it from me? If you have any secrets you can''t tell Bree and Conrad, you can tell me. I promise to keep it secret," I said, raising my hand as if taking an oath. Zack was amused by my teasing. "What secrets would I have?"


    Remembering Arthur''s mistress and daughter in the garden earlier, I teased, "Like maybe you''ve got a woman and a child out there."


    Zack choked at my words. "What nonsense are you spouting? I don''t have anything like that."


    "Really?" I cocked my head to one side, feigning a serious expression as I gazed at him.


    "Really." Zack shook his head.


    "But your buddy does. You know how they say that birds of a feather flock together? Well, that''s what I''m thinking about here..."


    Zack''s eyes widened as if he hadn''t expected me to know about Arthur''s situation.


    I didn''t hide it from him. "I yed with his little daughter in the garden downstairs. She''s adorable."


    Zack sighed. "We may be close, but that doesn''t mean I agree with everything he does. I have my own thoughts and beliefs."


    Hearing his serious tone, I smiled.


    "Look at you, I was just joking. I


    know you and Bree have a grea


    rtionship. You wouldn''t do anything to hurt her."


    Zack looked up, staring at the white wall. "Maddie, I want to tell you that my illness this time is serious. ?m not sure if I''ll be okay. If... I mean, if Content belongs to


    ¨¦n.swnovels


    UMSThis belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    He paused. "If one day I''m gone, promise me you''ll be brave and strong. Don''t cry."


    My breath hitched as a deep sorrow, akin to the pain of parting with life, washed over me. My eyes stung and my throat tightened. I grabbed his arm. "You''re going to be fine, nothing''s going to happen.


    Zack''s hand gently stroked my head, but he didn''t say anything more.


    Neither did I. I justy by his bedside like that.


    In the end, I fell asleep. When I woke up, I found Zack''s coat draped over me. He had also fallen asleep.


    I took the coat off and gently ced it on top of his nket, leaving without disturbing him.


    The phone in my pocket was ringing. It was an unfamiliar number.


    "Hello?" I answered.


    "Are you the owner of Apartment 402, Unit 2, Building 6 Greend Park?"


    "I am. May I ask who''s calling?"

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    "I''m from the Greend Park Demolition Permits Office. We posted the demolition notice in themunity earlier. There are still some procedures that need to bepleted. You''re thest one we''re waiting for, so pleasee over right away."


    This instantly made my already gloomy mood even worse.


    I had known about the demolition procedures for a while, but I kept putting them off.


    To me, it felt like if I didn''t sign the papers, they couldn''t demolish the ce, and my home would still be there.


    But I couldn''t dy things any longer. I still had to sign the papers, and the ce would be torn down.


    I couldn''t be the holdout who dyed the entire demolition process. I didn''t want to be the one preventing others from moving into their new homes.


    After all, the neighborhood was very old. Who wouldn''t want to live in a newmunity with new houses?


    "Okay, I''lle over right now," I agreed promptly.


    After hanging up, I took a deep breath and drove to the Demolition Permits Office. There, I signed the papers as they had requested.


    Since the deed was in my parents'' names, I needed to provide their death and cremation certificates. Only then could I sign and inherit the property.


    I understood these were normal procedures, but I found it to be quite brutal.


    My parents had been gone for over ten years, but I never canceled their registrations. In my heart, as long as our three names were together, they hadn''t really left me.


    But now, I had to go through the process of closing their records, erasing their traces from this world.


    This cruelty was raw and painful for me.


    Yet, despite the grief and sorrow, I had no choice but to do it.


    I went to the household registration office. The clerk said I needed a death report from the ident Investigation Center to get my parents'' death certificate and proof of record closure.


    I had no choice but to return to the


    department where I had retrieved the records of my parents'' car ident This time, unlike thest didn''t encounter any difficulties. But the person still asked me, "It''s been sotong since the ident. Why are you only doing this now?


    My throat tightened. "Because I didn''t want to."


    He nced at me, seeming to find my reply whimsical, but didn''t press the issue. He opened hisptop, checked on the ident from that year, then turned his attention back


    tome. Content belongs to


    I sensed that something was off. "Is there a problem? Or do I need to provide any additional documents?"


    "No. There''s no need," he replied, looking back at the screen and starting to type on the keyboard.


    7


    As the printer hummed, a warm sheet of paper emerged, followed by a freshly stamped seal. The paper was handed to me.


    "Take a look," he reminded me.


    My eyes fell on the ck text, reading the report confirming death at the scene. My heart sank, a heavy weight settling in my chest.


    I hadn''t been at the scene that year. Yet, having seen the ident record, it was as if I had experienced it firsthand.


    My eyes were focused on the stark contrast of ck ink on white paper. But my mind was consumed by the haunting image of my parents'' ident. My body convulsed with each ragged breath.


    I felt like I was drowning, trapped in a suffocating cage. Unable to bear it any longer, I turned and rushed toward the door.


    But the person behind me called out, ¡°Wait a moment."N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    I had to bring myself to a halt and look at him. My mouth was too parched to ask what he wanted, so I looked at him with questioning eyes.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± he asked, staring at my face.


    I must have looked terrible for him to ask that.


    I shook my head slightly, trying to steady my breathing. He had already stood up and was walking toward me. ¡°Please leave your contact information."

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    Redmption 347


    ?


    Thinking that my parents'' car ident had happened over a decade ago, I let out a mockingugh. "Is this necessary?"


    "In case anythinges up, it''ll be easier to contact you," he replied. His response was unexpected.


    What could possiblye up after all this time? Still, I left my phone number as he had requested and then left.


    With the death confirmation certificate in hand, I still needed the cremation certificate. I could only turn to Zack, but he was still ill, so I had to go to Bree instead.


    "Maddie, what brings you here?" Bree was more surprised than pleased to see me.


    "Bree, I have something to discuss. Let''s talk inside," I said. I didn''t know if it was from running around so muchtely because of Ellie or my period, but I felt weak and a bit dizzy today. "Oh, sure. Let''s sit over in the gazebo; it''s stuffy inside," Bree said while linking her arm with mine.


    I went along without thinking much of it. She had already called the housekeeper. "Xena, bring some fruit and the oatmeal I just made over to the gazebo."


    Xena acknowledged, and Bree turned to me. "Maddie, you don''t look well. Are you sick?"


    "It''s my period." I used that as an excuse.


    "Do you have stomach cramps? The oatmeal will warm you up nicely. I''ll ask Xena to add some sugar to it,


    Bree said as she stood up. "Maddie, sit here for a bit."


    I didn''te here today for a casual chat, so I stood up as well. "Bree, I have something to take care of today."


    Bree paused. I took the death certificate out of my bag. "Bree, I need to close my parents'' records, but I still need the cremation certificate."


    "Close their records?" A sh of shock crossed Bree''s eyes, followed by a look of sympathy. "Why do you need to close it?"


    I lowered my gaze, eyes fixed on the death certificate. "My parents'' house is going to be demolished. I can only sign off on it once I''vepleted all these procedures."


    Bree didn''t say anything. After a moment, she hugged me and said, "Maybe it''s for the best."


    Sheforted me for a while before letting go. "The document is in


    Zack''s drawer. I''ll go get it for you


    Wait here for me." Bree patted my


    head and made me sit down.


    I wanted to go inside with her and grab the document before leaving immediately. But now, it felt awkward to insist on following her.


    Just then, the housekeeper came in


    with some fruit and oatmeal. Bree


    instructed her, "Add a few more spoonfuls of brown sugar to the porridge. It will make it taste better. Maddie''s not feeling well because of her period."


    The housekeeper nodded and brought over the oatmeal first. She told me to wait a moment while she went to get the brown sugar, but I stopped her and said, "No need, Xena."


    "You need it! Otherwise, Mrs. Gildon will be upset. She treats you like her own daughter."


    I understood that the housekeeper was afraid of being scolded by Bree, so I didn''t stop her again. Chapter 347


    2/2


    As I waited, Xena returned with the brown sugar, added it to the oatmeal, stirred it, and then left.


    The oatmeal with brown sugar tasted great. I had plenty of it over the years.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    But since leaving the Gildon family, I haven''t had it once. Not because I couldn''t afford it, but because I haven''t had the time.


    I finished the bowl of oatmeal, but Bree still hadn''t returned. Could she not find it?


    I was running out of time before office hours ended, and I still had the record closure to deal with.


    I didn''t want to wait any longer, so I got up and walked toward the house. But just as I reached the door, I heard Bree''s voice.


    "You do as I say and stay here. If you dare to stir up any trouble, don''t say I didn''t warn you."


    Bree''s voice was very harsh. This was rare.


    But who was Bree threatening?

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    ?


    I held my breath.


    The next second, another familiar voice reached my ears. "Mrs. Gildon, I don''t want to stay here. I only want to see Chris. If you let me see him, I''ll leave and won''t cause any trouble." It was Jewel. She was actually here.


    From her words, it seemed that she was here to find Chris.


    I had called Chris, thinking that he would contact Jewel, but it seemed that I was wrong.


    This woman was something else. She actually dared to find her way to the Gildon estate.


    "Are you threatening me?" Bree wasn''t one to be trifled with.


    "Mrs. Gildon, I''m not. I just want to see Chris." Jewel kept up her innocent act, soft and weak.


    The adage that one should not judge a person by their outward appearance was held in countless instances.


    The first time Iid eyes on Jewel, I thought she seemed so innocent and pure. I had the fleeting impression that the world had be a cleaner and more radiant ce because of her. But, boy, was I wrong. I got smacked right across the face with the truth..


    "Chris isn''t here. I''ve already told you that!" Bree''s voice rose a bit in anger.


    "I know he''s not here." Jewel''s voice was calm and steady, her tone indifferent.


    Bree didn''t have suchposure. She wasn''t a loose cannon, but she was definitely a straight shooter who wouldn''t put up with any games. "Are you saying that I''ve got him hidden away somewhere?"


    Jewel silently acquiesced.


    Bree let out a mockingugh. "You''re


    el


    a cunning one, I''ll give you that. It''s no wonder that Madeline couldn''t outwit you. Now I see why my son chose you, a little widow, over Madeline, who''s superior to you in every way."


    Her words were harsh and mocking Jewel, but I got caught in the crossfire too.


    I wasn''t even as good as a widow. That was thebel on my failed romance with Chris.


    "Mrs. Gildon, I would ept any punishment you give me today. But please just let me see Chris." Jewel switched her approach.


    After several encounters with her, began to realize something. Beneath her innocent-looking exterior, she had a cunning and calcting mind. She had a lot of tricks up her sleeve.


    "Mrs. Gildon, I can''t live without Chris. A few days ago, my mother-inw caused a


    commotion at the hospital. Now, my videos are all over the inte, and my work is being affected. If I don''t get to see Chris, I''ll have no choice but to die." Jewel''s voice was choked with tears.


    "Don''t try to scare me with that!" Bree, being a woman herself, can easily see through Jewel''s deceitful tactics.


    "Mrs. Gildon, I''m not trying to scare you. I''m telling the truth," Jewel said, then paused.Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    Momentster, I heard Bree gasp in shock. "What are you doing? If you keep this up, I''m calling the police." Bree''s voice sounded off, and my heart skipped a beat. I rushed forward to see what was going on and


    saw Jewel with a green bottle in her hand.


    Bree pointed at her. "Put that down! Let''s talk this over.


    Hearing this, I knew that Bree was frightened by Jewel''s threat.


    My vision was excellent, and I made out thebel on the bottle Jewel was holding. It was paraquat-a highly toxic herbicide.

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    ?


    I knew that Jewel wouldn''t drink the herbicide. She hade this far because she wanted to live a luxurious life. If she could endure that humiliation at the hospital, then there was no way she would give


    up now.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    It was her trying to pressure Bree to reveal Chris'' whereabouts.


    Jewel thought Zack and Bree were hiding Chris, wanting to sabotage their rtionship.


    "Ms. Massey, you really have a knack for drama," I said as I walked in.


    Upon hearing my voice, Bree turned around, her faceced with rm. I knew she was worried that I would misunderstand why Jewel was around. Jewel, on the other hand, didn''t seem surprised.


    She had to have seen meing. Despite that, I could tell that she was nervous. Otherwise, her hand wouldn''t be shaking as she reached for the herbicide.


    Jewel quickly put on a pitiful expression.


    "I had no other choice. Chris is missing, and I can''t reach him at all. Madeline, you can see that I''m at my


    wit''s end."


    She was ying the victim again, but I wasn''t buying it.


    Toffered a faint smile and gestured toward the bottle in her hand.


    "Ms. Massey, isn''t your escape route right there in your hand?"


    Jewel''s expression darkened. It was just as I had suspected. She wasn''t going to actually drink the herbicide. It was just a tactic for her to manipte Bree. There was no one more shameless than Jewel,


    "Madeline, I know you want me gone. But if I''m going down, Chris has to at least show up and say something," Jewel insisted.


    She was determined to see Chris.


    "Jewel, if you want to see him, then go look for him. But he''s not here."


    I stood before her.


    She was sitting, and I was standing. Our height difference forced her to look up at me.


    Jewel moved back slightly, but her expression remained stubborn.


    "If I could find him, I wouldn''t be here."


    "Then, did you find him here?" I leaned closer as I asked.


    Jewel opened her mouth, but she couldn''t say a word.


    "Jewel, what would Chris think if he knew that you were here, bothering his parents?"


    As I spoke, panic flickered across Jewel''s eyes.


    But she quickly replied, stammering, "I... I had no other choice. If I had any other way, I wouldn''t be here." "That''s not true. You''ve been itching toe here, to walk through that door and solidify your position."


    I didn''t hold back, directly exposing her motive.


    Jewel widened her eyes, the panic in them bing more obvious.


    "Jewel, you think you''re clever, don''t you? Do you think that no one can see your real intentions?"


    She swallowed hard.


    "I... I don''t know what you''re talking about."


    "Oh, you don''t? Then, let mey it out for you. You were in love withn, but he was just an ordinary guy with an average sry.


    "Chris, on the other hand, is loaded. Ian''s paycheck is peanutspared to him. The two of them were best friends.


    n was devoted to you. He took you to all those fancy ces, letting you bask in the luxury. But you realizedn could never satisfy your materialistic cravings. You started looking down on him, didn''t you?" Jewel shook her head, trying to deny everything I said, but I didn''t stop. I was going to expose her for what she truly was and show her that she wasn''t as smart as she thought she was.


    "Butn was so good to you that you couldn''t bring yourself to break up or leave him. You knew the only way to live the life you wanted was through Chris.


    UMS


    ¡°So, you followedn around, using every chance you got to catch Chris'' attention. You wanted to make him fall for you bit by bit. Isn''t that right?" "That''s not true!"


    Jewel trembled intensely, barely holding onto the bottle.


    "If it''s not, then why are you panicking?"


    I leaned in closer, my voice dropping to a whisper near her ear.


    "I betn''s car crash was no ident at all. Someone must''ve nned it. Isn''t that right?"


    As soon as the words left my mouth, Jewel let out a scream and forcefully pushed me away.

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    ?


    Bree quickly steadied me as I swayed for a moment.


    Jewel was a wreck, and her face was pale with panic. Seeing her like that made my heart skip a beat.


    Did I hit the nail on the head?


    I was just inly guessing, wanting to test the waters. But now, it seemed thatn''s death wasn''t that simple.


    If Jewel was rted to it, or if she had nned it, then she was far more dangerous than I had imagined.


    No wondern''s parents despised her so much. It seemed that there was a reason behind it.


    "Jewel, you''re guilty, aren''t you?" I pressed on, not letting her off the hook.


    Now that I had her rattled, I was determined to expose her true naturepletely.


    Jewel constantly shook her head in denial.


    "You setn up because he became an obstacle in your chase of wealth and status. You knew that with him out of the way, you could finally go after what you always wanted," I continued saying. "But you also knew that as a divorced woman, getting Chris to fall for you won''t be easy. So, you ced a trap forn. You knew Chris would feel guilty and would do whatever it took to take care of you after the ident."


    "No, that''s not true!"


    Jewel once again let out a scream.


    "Jewel, the truth isn''t up to you. There''s always proof."N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    I could tell she probably hadn''t done many things like that before.


    Otherwise, she wouldn''t fall apart so easily with just a few pointed questions.


    But in the end, she was still responsible for someone''s death.


    "I didn''t wantn to die. I didn''t know..."


    Jewel''s grip on the herbicide bottle loosened, and it fell to the floor. She cradled her head in her hands, overwhelmed with pain.


    She hadn''t intended forn to die. Even so, he had died.


    In a way, she was admitting thatn''s car crash wasn''t an ident and that it was her doing.


    My entire body felt cold as I looked at the bump on her belly.


    "You didn''t expect to be pregnant withn''s baby, did you?"


    Jewel curled up, looking utterly devastated and broken


    Seeing her like that, I said nothing more. The truth was already out.


    "You''re a dangerous woman. There''s no way I''m letting Chris be with you," Bree said, her voice shaking with


    shock. She finally stood


    everything.


    Jewel slowly lifted her head. At that moment, even her lips were pale She stared at me, her eyes filled with raw fury. She must be hating me for exposing her scheme.


    After a while, she turned her gaze to Bree.


    "None of you will stop me. If you try, we''ll all go down together," she said in an icy tone.


    "Don''t you dare threaten me," Bree snapped, her anger boiling over.


    Jewel dropped her innocent act, disying a mocking smirk.


    "Go ahead, Mrs. Gildon. Try me if you dare."


    Seeing her like this, I had a bad feeling.


    "Jewel, what are you nning?"


    Jewel shot me a cold look.


    "Madeline,


    en''t you so smart? You


    figure everything out.


    don''t you


    guess what I''ll do next?"


    I clenched my fists tightly.


    Jewel turned back to Bree and said, "I want to see Chris within three days. Otherwise, you''ll regret it."


    With that being said, she stood up and left.


    "I''ll be waiting. Let''s see what you''ll try to pull next," Bree muttered.


    Bree was nice, but if someone messed with her, she would fight back.


    Jewel had nothing to lose. She gave a smirk and then walked out.


    "Take this with you," Bree said.


    Bree picked up the bottle of herbicide that Jewel had left behind, ready to chase after her.


    I quickly stopped her. Herbicide was dangerous, and it wasn''t safe for anyone to just have that lying around.

 Chapter 351

    Chapter 351


    ?


    Despite how despicable Jewel was, the child she carried was innocent. Plus, it wasn''s only bloodline.


    As Jewel left, Bree trembled with anger.


    "That woman haspletely tricked Chris! I thought he was smarter than this. How could he let himself be fooled?"


    Bree grabbed my arm. "Maddie, you heard everything."


    I couldn''t help but let out a chuckle. Of course, I heard everything. I was the one who had confronted Jewel.


    "Maddie, Chris was tricked. She''spletely deceived him," Bree insisted, as if trying to convey something. "Bree, it takes two to tango. Chris fell for her tricks because he gave her the chance," I replied, cutting her off.


    Bree''s mouth moved, but she fell silent.


    "How could anyone be so heartless? She had even harmed her own husband..." She let out a sigh.


    Greed could drive people to do unthinkable things.


    "I absolutely won''t allow Chris to marry her. If she gets into this family, I doubt Zack and I would live much longer," Bree murmured to herself.


    I was an outsider, and it wasn''t my ce to say anything more.


    "This isn''t right. We need to call the police. We can''t let her get away with this. If she''s arrested, she won''t bother Chris anymore."


    Bree suddenly grabbed my arm like she had just found the perfect solution.


    "Maddie, I thought that Chris had just stormed off in a fit of anger. But I finally see it now. Jewel was the one who drove him away." Bree shook her head, her face filled with regret.


    She tightened her hold on my hand.


    "Maddie, you know everything. You should report this to the police. Give them the evidence so they can take her down."


    Seeing the anticipation in Bree''s eyes, I slightly lowered my gaze.


    "Bree, I don''t have any evidence."


    "No evidence? But you know everything. How could there be no evidence?" Bree asked in disbelief.


    I let out a bitterugh. "It was just a thought that crossed my mind-something I blurted out."


    I never expected it to be true.


    "Then, we''ll look for the proof, or we can call the police and let them handle it."


    Bree''s eyes were filled with resolve. It seemed that she was determined to see Jewel behind bars.


    I stayed silent, and Bree sighed. "It''s


    not


    this.


    for


    you to be involved


    have someone look


    imet


    added. Content belonge


    she to


    It seemed like it was no longer my concern.


    it,"


    Remembering why I came here, I asked her, "Bree, have you found the cremation certificate?"


    "Not yet. Wait here, I''ll go get it for you."


    Bree patted my hand reassuringly.


    While I remained seated, she got up and


    The went to Zack''s study. Lat


    the pill bottle on the floor, I called a


    maid to dispose of it proper


    About ten minutester, Bree returned from the study. She was holding an old and yellowed piece of paper.


    I rose from the couch and took it with both hands.


    As I read my parents'' names and the few lines on the paper, my heart clenched.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    "Maddie," Bree called softly, then took the cremation certificate from my hands and folded it up.


    "Alright. Go take care of what you need to."


    I nodded and turned to leave.


    "Maddie, you''d better watch out," Bree warned as I was heading out.


    I paused, a bit surprised.


    "Watch out for Jewel," Bree added.


    I nodded again, not thinking much of


    it. But as


    estate, a red Mercedeshe


    estat soon as I left the


    and


    blocked my way.


    I watched as Jewel stepped out of the car.


    Bree''s warning echoed in my mind as I lowered my window.


    I asked her, "Ms. Massey? Are you here to take me down with you, or are you going to plead?"

 Chapter 352

    Chapter 352


    ?


    Earlier at the Gildon estate, I had exposed Jewel''s lies and schemes, so she had to be furious now.


    Jewel stared at me as she gripped my car door. For a moment, I thought she was going to rip it open, drag me out, or try to hit me. Instead, she dropped to her knees in front of my car.


    That took me by surprise.


    I figured she might beg, but I didn''t expect her to kneel.


    It seemed that she was willing to do whatever it takes.


    Honestly, I wasn''t bothered by her kneeling. After all, she stole my fianc¨¦.


    But with her pregnant, her kneeling position might harm the baby. If anything happened, it would surely be mine to me.


    So, how could I let her stay on her knees?


    Still, I wasn''t going to get out to help her. She was using her pregnancy as leverage, and if I showed too much concern, she would only push further.


    I scoffed, a mocking smile ying on my lips.


    "Ms. Massey, what exactly are you trying to do?"


    "Madeline, I''m begging you to spare me and my child. Please, give my baby a chance," Jewel pleaded.


    It was half past three, and the sun was at its hottest, zing down on her.


    She was using her child as an excuse again. It seemedn''s unborn baby had be her shield. Despite that, I wasn''t going to fall for it.


    I asked coolly, "What have I done to you that you need me to spare you?"


    Jewel''s lips trembled.


    "Ms. Crown, I admit it was wrong to take Chris from you. But I just wanted a better life. It''s natural to move up in the world. I don''t think I did anything wrong."


    Wow. Moving up in the world?


    She even believed that she had done nothing wrong.


    I stared at her coldly.


    "If stepping on others to climb up isn''t wrong, then why are you on your knees now?"


    "Ms. Crown, you and I are different.


    Even though you were taken in by the Gildon family, they treat you like their own. Even if you''re not with Chris, you still have his parents'' love and a good life.


    S


    "But I don''t have that privilege. I''ve been terrified of being poor my whole life."


    Jewel avoided my question and started talking about her struggles. At the same time, she was subtly reminding me of my foster status.


    People like her always have a way of words.


    She would show her true colors in the most casual ways, like a snake waiting to strike.


    What she said sounded like a joke.


    "So being poor is an excuse for your actions? Then should bank robbers get a medal for their efforts?"


    The irony in my words was clear, but it didn''t graze her.


    The moment Jewel knelt before me, she must have prepared herself for any humiliation.


    I had to admit, she was vulnerable yet tough, like a bug that just wouldn''t die.


    "My mom had three cerebral


    hemorrhages and is now pahe


    paralyzed. My dad had to quit his job


    to take care of her. You''ve seen what brother is like. Content belongs


    to NovelDrama.Org


    "I had to take the burden of supporting my entire family. No matter how hard I work, it''s never enough."


    Jewel began sharing her sob story.


    I was surprised to know what her family background was like.


    Judging by her spoiled younger brother, I had assumed her family was at least well-off.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    "All these years,n has been helping me. But his parents gave me hell for it. They put a lot of pressure onn too.


    n took on side jobs to make extra money, and Chris helped him out. In turn, Chris helped me as well."


    As Jewel spoke, images ofn


    shed through my mind. He was someone who always had a smile on his face and a cheerful


    l


    demeanor. Being around him felt like a moment of peace in a hectic world. Content belongs to


    UMS

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    Chapter 353


    ?


    I never imagined that he lived such a hard life behind closed doors.


    "Butn was only human. He got tired too. I''d catch him sneaking out in the middle of the night to smoke. And it broke my heart to see that every time. I knew it was my fault that he was so stressed," Jewel said, shaking her head slightly.


    "I wanted to leave him¡ªnot just for my sake and not because I didn''t love him anymore. It was because I loved him so much that I couldn''t stand to see him so worn out."


    Jewel''s words painted her in a new light.


    "Well, he''s not tired anymore. And he never will be again," I muttered under my breath.


    Jewel caught the irony in my voice.


    "Madeline, you''ve never lived a day in my shoes. You''ll never understand what it''s like," she said loudly, almost screaming.


    She looked me in the eye. After a moment, her anger slowly faded.


    "Madeline, as forn''s death, I swear I''d never meant to hurtn. I just wanted him to see me betray him, so he''d finally leave me on his own. I wanted to set him free."


    "The car ident wasn''t your doing?" I asked in a low voice.


    "No, it wasn''t.n was too good to me. I''m not a monster. How could I ever hurt him?" Jewel shook her head vigorously.


    "But in the end, he still died because of you."


    I didn''t let her off the hook, keeping her weighed down by the guilt ofn''s death.


    Jewel''s eyes faltered as she looked at me before lowering her head. "I''ll pay him back in the next life."


    "You''re so evil that I bet ifn meets you in the next life, he''ll probably run the other way."


    I didn''t hold back as I confronted her, with each word more cutting than thest. If she wasn''t pregnant, I might have stepped out of the car and given her a few ps.


    I remembered Chris telling me that his best friend,n, was devoted to his loved ones. He would choose his wife over his life. Ian had treated Jewel like a goddess, and Chris had never seen anyone dote on their wife the wayn did.


    Now, hearing Jewel''s words, all I felt was heartache forn. He had been too naive.Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    Loving someone was one thing. But when that love became unbnced, it would only lead to destruction.


    Jewel was lucky to have hadn and his love in this lifetime. However, her greed had cost her his life.


    "Madeline, know I''m not a good


    person. But I was desperate. Now that you''ve found your own happiness, can''t you just give me a break? Can you please bring Chris back to me?"


    Jewel''s focus returned to Chris in the end.


    "Hasn''t Chris already set everything up for you? You''ve got a ce to dive and plenty of money to spend, Does it really matter if hees back to you?" Content belongs to


    UMS


    I couldn''t understand why she was so desperate to see Chris.


    Jewel pressed her lips together. Then, she said, "Madeline, having a ce to live and money to spend isn''t everything."


    I got it now. She wanted to be happy and loved.


    "Jewel, you''re quite greedy."


    I didn''t hold back my sarcasm.


    Jewel ced her hand on her belly.


    "Who doesn''t want aplete and happy life? The Goodwin family doesn''t want to acknowledge this. child. I wanted to get an abortion, but Chris wouldn''t let me. At least he has toe back so my child can have a father."


    Hearing that, I couldn''t help thinking that Chris was dumber than a bag of rocks.


    He got involved with her for a fleeting thrill. And now, he was probably stuck with her for life.


    Despite that, he deserved it.


    "Madeline, please bring Chris back to me. I know you can reach him," Jewel insisted,pletely sure of herself.


    I wasn''t sure where her confidence came from. But she was right-Chris wouldn''t answer anyone''s calls except mine.


    "Ms. Massey, you said I''m the only one who can reach him. What does that tell you?" I asked mockingly. Jewel''s face was tinged with embarrassment


    "I know you''re the only one on his mind, but I don''t care. I just want him. Having him is enough for me," she replied.

 Chapter 354

    Chapter 354


    ?


    "Having him is enough?"


    She had some nerve to even think of wanting him.


    Looking at her pitiful expression, my voice turned colder as I said, "Jewel, you''re mistaken. It''s not Chris you want. What you''re after is his status and the wealth thates with him."


    Jewel nibbled at her lip.


    "I won''t deny that, but-"


    She paused and then delivered a devastating speech.


    "But after these days, he''s been as good to me asn ever was. I''ve genuinely fallen for him. I want to spend the rest of my life with him."


    She was telling me that she was fixated on Chris and that he had genuinely cared for her. She was still seeing me as a rival, yet here she was, begging me.


    And when she pleaded, she didn''t forget to drive a dagger into my heart. It was as if she thought that I was an easy prey.


    I smirked. "Chris cared for you, but he still left."


    Jewel''s expression stiffened upon hearing my words.


    "Are you sure he wants to spend his life with you?" I asked in a mocking tone.


    "As long as hees back, I''ll find a way," Jewel replied, her voice faltering.


    I nodded slightly. "Then, find a way to bring him back. I won''t help you."


    Jewel had been kneeling for a while, and she was barely holding up. Hearing my refusal, her body wavered, and she gripped the car door tighter. "Why? Is it because you still love him?"


    It was pathetic for a woman to me another woman for a man''sck of affection.


    I wasn''t interested in continuing the conversation.


    "If that''s what you believe, then sure."


    I scoffed.


    Jewel froze, her mouth moving, but no words came out.


    "Ms. Massey, staying on your knees isn''t good for the baby. You should get up. I''m leaving," I said as I nced at the clock on my dashboard.


    The conversation had already wasted ten minutes of my time.


    "Madeline, if you don''t call Chris, I''m staying put right here," Jewel said.


    Once again, she surprised me with her stubbornness.


    It was said that even the bravest man feared a woman''s persistence. Suddenly, I wondered if Chris'' escape wasn''t because of his fight with Zack. Maybe he couldn''t handle Jewel''s relentless pursuit so he left.


    "Then, you can stay down there."


    I revved the engine twice.


    Jewel trembled in fear. Despite that, she still clung to the car door.


    It seemed that she was ready for a standoff, certain that I wouldn''t drive off or run her over. Seeing her like that made me furious.


    "Jewel, if you''re not going to move


    then you''re just asking for trouble


    Do think if I ran you over today,


    the Gildon family would dare to send me to jail?"


    Jewel widened her eyes and stared at me in disbelief.


    "Jewel, if you were gone, it would actually be a relief for the Gildon family. You know that, right?" I reminded her with a cold smile.


    Upon hearing my words, Jewel shifted to the side and sat down on the ground.


    She knew better than to push her luck-the Gildon family would undoubtedly side with me over her.


    At the sight of her on the ground, I grabbed my phone that I tossed on the passenger seat earlier.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    "Jewel, didn''t you want Chris back? I''ll call him for you now, and you can listen for yourself."


    I wasn''t calling out of sympathy or to help her; I wanted to crush any hope she had left.


    Within three seconds, the call went through and Chris'' voice sounded from the speaker. "Maddie," Chris said.


    "Chris, Jewel caused a scene at your home and now she''s blocking my


    car


    brin


    you back to her," I say


    road. She wants I bluntly.


    "Where is she now?"


    Chris'' t voice was betraying no emotion.


    After living with him for ten years, I knew that was his angry tone.


    Hearing Chris'' voice, Jewel sprang up from the ground and snatched my phone.


    "Chris,e back to me. If you don''t, the Goodwin family is going to get rid of this baby."

 Chapter 355

    Chapter 355


    ?


    Chris stayed silent.


    Jewel''s face was wet with tears as she said, "Chris, I can''t live without you by my side. I don''t know what to do without you."


    Her voice was choked with emotion.


    Still, Chris said nothing. Thinking that he had hung up, Jewel called out, "Chris... Chris? Are you there?"


    She nced at my phone, confirming that the call was still active.


    "Chris..."


    "Jewel, who said that you could go to my ce? Didn''t I warn you? Have you forgotten what I said?" Chris finally replied. Jewel''s hand trembled as she clutched my phone.


    "Chris, I had no other choice. I just want to protect this baby. You were the one that said nothing can happen to the child."


    I couldn''t help but let out a scoff. Just a few days ago, she wanted to get rid of the baby in front ofn''s parents.


    "Jewel, this is yourst chance."


    Chris'' voice was as cold as the wintry chill.


    "Chris..."


    A beeping sound echoed as the call disconnected, and Jewel sped the phone tightly.


    "Chris? Chris..."


    "Ms. Massey, could you give me back my phone? He hung up," I said, taking the phone from her.


    Jewel staggered, looking like a lifeless body, as if her soul had been sucked out.


    I didn''t look back at her, nor did I care. I simply drove away.


    Throughout the drive, I''ve been thinking aboutn''s death and what Jewel had said. When the car finally stopped, I was momentarily dazed, unsure how I made it to the Civil Registry.


    Lately, I felt like I was drifting through life. Although nothing serious had happened yet, it was only a matter of time before trouble found me. I had to get myself together.


    At the counter, I handed over my parents'' cremation certificates with both hands. The clerk reviewed them stamped them, and then started typing on theputer.


    "Wait a second," I called out.


    "Yes?" the clerk asked, looking at me.


    I stared at theputer screen disying my parents'' information and took out my phone to snap a photo.


    "I''d like to keep a memento."N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    After taking the photo, the clerk


    quicklypleted the record


    closure procedures. I stared at the photo I''d just taken, and couldn''t tear my eyes away.


    ?.


    They say a person is truly gone when they''re forgotten when their final traces fade from the world.


    As long as I''m alive, I won''t forget my parents. But now, I can''t even hold on to the pieces they left behind if I want to.


    The proof of record closure in my hand, and the house that was about to be demolished, were all being erased bit by bit.


    "It''s done. Here are the documents."


    The clerk finished the procedure and handed me the file.


    I took the documents and walked out to my car.


    Instead of driving off, I sat there, staring at thest page of my parents'' records for a long time.


    Finally, I took a picture of the proof of record closure and posted it on social media with the caption: "I''ve lost you both forever."


    I wasn''t sure why others posted on social media, but I wanted to capture the moment so that I could look back on it someday.


    I then headed to the Demolition Permits Office for the demolition paperwork. As I arrived, my phone rang. It was Brandon calling.


    I needed to get the paperwork done quickly, so I didn''t answer.


    Just after I declined his call, Lisa''s call came in. I thought she was worried after seeing my post, so I didn''t pick up either.


    When she called again, I finally


    asked, I


    Before she asked, sat


    now.


    I''m signing the document I''ll call you back in a while."


    "What papers? Jewel''s here to get an abortion. Should we stop her this time?" Lisa asked.

 Chapter 356

    Chapter 356


    ?


    Abortion?


    Jewel was still stirring up trouble.


    But if she wanted to make a mess of things, that was her choice. I didn''t have the energy to concern myself with anyone else''s problems.


    "Let her be," I said to Lisa.


    "Huh? Is there no saintly act this time?"


    Even Lisa was teasing me, showing how much I used to meddle in other people''s affairs.


    I let out a sarcastic scoff and replied, "The saint''s gone dark."


    "Ha! Love you for that." Lisaughed, clearly amused.


    After she hung up, I headed to the Demolition Permits Office to finalize the paperwork. The clerk gave me a notice and told me I had three days to pack up and move out.


    I braced myself when I first saw the demolition notice and started packing. But now, with a deadline, it hit me that my home was truly about to be torn down.


    Asl returned to my neighborhood, I stood outside my block for a long time and didn''t go up. The usual neighbors I often saw were nowhere in sight- they''d probably already moved out.


    I was so lost in thought that I didn''t even notice when Brandon appeared beside me. It wasn''t until I felt too tired to stand and decided to go upstairs that I realized he was there.


    "Hungry?" Brandon asked as he looked at me.


    He didn''t pry into anything else, just checking in with a simple question.


    I shook my head slightly, not saying a word.


    At that moment, I felt utterly exhausted to even speak.


    "Tired?"


    Brandon was always good at reading people.


    I nodded in response.


    Brandon opened his mouth to speak. Before he said something, I lifted my feet and started walking upstairs. He fell in step beside me, taking my bag from my hand.


    He understood me well. As we climbed the stairs, he didn''t say anything more. We just walked in silence.


    While we reached the top, I held out my hand to him. But he didn''t hand me my bag right away; instead, he looked at me.


    I knew he understood what I wanted, but he was waiting for the word.


    I dropped my hand and finally spoke.


    "I just finished closing out my parents'' records. I''m tired. I want to be alone tonight."


    Brandon''s gaze deepened with understanding.


    "At least have something to eat first."


    "I don''t have the appetite," I said, reaching out again.


    Brandon hesitated for a moment and then handed me my bag.


    I turned around and walked into the house. I leaned against the door once inside, keeping the lights off. stood in the dim glow of the setting sun filtering through the windows, taking in the familiar sight of my home.


    Three months ago, when I had firste here, I had done the same thing-just stood and looked.


    Nothing in the house had changed. Even though thad been living there for three months, everything was still the same as it had been. Even when Brandon had moved in, he had respected the previous owners and didn''t change a thing.


    As I looked around at the familiar furniture, memories started ying out.


    I could see my dad sitting on the couch, reading the newspaper. When he heard me, he would look up and say, "Mae,e here. Check out this article. It''s so well written.


    My mom would peek her head out of the kitchen with an apron tied around her waist.


    "Mae, wash your hands and have some fruit. Dinner''s almost ready."


    I pictured this scene and moved to the couch, sitting down beside my dad. I reached under the table and pulled out an old newspaper from ten years ago. Then I turned the pages to the article my dad had pointed out to me back then, softly reading it out.


    When I finished, I repeated what I''d said all those years ago.


    "If this is good writing, then I''m definitely going to be a great writer."Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    "Of course. My daughter will be a great writer."


    Suddenly, I heard my dad''s voice.


    I froze and quickly looked beside me. That wasn''t what my dad had said back then. He tapped me on the head and said, "You''ve got to be humble if you want to be better."


    But just now, I had clearly heard him say something different.


    I had really heard it.


    I stood up and looked around the room. But the house was empty, and I was alone.


    But I swear I had heard it.


    "Dad, Mom," I called out as I rushed to the kitchen.


    The kitchen was empty. I looked back at the couch, but there was no one there.

 Chapter 357

    Chapter 357


    ?


    So, it was all just an illusion. Even my dad''s voice was just a figment of my imagination.


    They had been gone for ten years.


    How could I possibly have heard their voices just now?


    I stood there, disoriented. As thest light from the window faded, the room fell into darkness. I started sobbing uncontrobly. The profound sorrow of losing my parents and never seeing them again engulfed me.


    That night, I slept restlessly, even dreaming of my parents.


    When I woke up, I felt utterly exhausted, as if I had been through a lot of physicalbor.Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    I tried to get up, but I couldn''t.


    At that moment, I realized that I was ill. I lifted my hand to feel my forehead-it was warm.


    "Mae, are you up?" Brandon''s voice resonated from outside the door.


    I opened my mouth and tried to respond. However, my voice came out in a whisper, and my throat felt painful like I had swallowed shards of ss. I had no choice but to text him on my phone. "I''m sick. You can use the key toe in."


    He had a key from when I had given it to him before.


    Within seconds, I heard the door unlock, followed by Brandon''s urgent footsteps.


    His cool hand touched my forehead, relieving me from the heat. It felt soothing, making me want to stay close. However, he withdrew his hand. "Mae, you''ve caught a fever. I''m taking you to the hospital."


    Feeling miserable, I grasped his hand and pressed it against my face. The next moment, his lips brushed my forehead.


    "I''m here. Everything''s alright. We''re going to the hospital."


    I struggled through the pain in my throat.


    "I''ll... just take some medicine."


    "Take the meds first, then we''ll go to the hospital," Brandon said.


    He gently rubbed my face and then went searching for the medication.


    In no time, he brought water and some medicine. He helped me up and held me as I swallowed the pills.


    After a brief rest, he said, "I''m taking you to the hospital for a check-up."


    As I shook my head, Brandon kissed my forehead again.


    "Listen, you''ve suddenlye down with a fever. It''s best to go for a check-up."


    After dealing with Ellie''s health


    issues, he became particrly cautious about illness. I didn''t argue and let him take me to the hospital. By the time we arrived, the


    §Ö


    medication had taken effectand my


    fever had subsided.


    "I''m feeling b


    though


    better now. There''s no a check-up," I said, was just afraid of needles,


    need for


    blood draws. Content bespecially


    "Let''s at least see the doctor," Brandon insisted.


    to


    Since I couldn''t argue with him, I


    vel


    reluctantly agreed to get a consultation. Still, the doctor rmended that I get a blood test, which was my biggest fear.


    Nevertheless, I almost forgot that Brandon was there.


    He covered my eyes with hisrge hand.


    "I''m taking you to dinnerter tonight. Mr. Roulder invited us," he whispered in my ear.


    The dinner seemed sudden. Why would Xander invite us to dinner?


    I was feeling confused. But before I could ask, the doctor said, "All done."


    Brandon moved his hand away and rested on my arm.


    I nced at my arm and then at the doctor, surprised that the blood draw was already over.


    Surprisingly, I didn''t feel a thing.


    Aside from the doctor''s skill, I knew that Brandon sessfully distracted me. And that made the procedure painless.


    Indeed, having a boyfriend who was truly caring makes even being sick feel like afort.


    "You''ve drawn so much blood. Let''s go get something nice to eat so you can recover."


    While we waited for the test results, Brandon took me to a restaurant across from the hospital.


    As we walked in, I spotted someone familiar.


    It was Lisa.


    As I was about to approach her, Brandon stopped me. He then gestured for me to look in another direction.

 Chapter 358

    Chapter 358


    ?


    "I''ll have two carbonaras, one with no mushrooms and only the beef slices. I''d also like a mango juice, a ss of in water, and a blueberry mousse with less cream."


    Keith ced the order clearly meant for two people with refined ease.


    One of the carbonaras had been altered to Lisa''s taste, especially with the detail of the beef slices. It was something that only someone very close to her or who had paid careful attention to her would know.


    Lisa would neverin about food in front of others. She would just avoid anything with mushrooms.


    Keith hadn''t seen Lisa for years. They had also just recently confirmed their rtionship. Despite that, Keith still remembered her preferences well, showing how thoughtful he was.


    Previously, I had mocked their rtionship as just a passing fling. But it turned out that Keith was really putting in the effort.


    "We should order."


    Brandon gave my hand a light squeeze, gently reminding me.


    I realized it wasn''t the best time to interrupt Lisa and Keith''s rare moment together.


    Besides, they had chosen a spot so close to the hospital. It was probably because they were too busy to even have a proper date.


    It would be rude to interrupt them now.


    Brandon and I went to ce our order. Given my fever and sore throat, he picked out light and soothing dishes for me.


    "Save the dessert for another time. You''re still sick. It might make your throat worse."


    Brandon was as attentive as Keith. Though he didn''t order the desserts, he exined why.


    Keith and Lisa were eating quietly without talking. As I nced over at them, I felt a pang of dissatisfaction. Suddenly, I felt like making a scene. "But what if I really want some?" I asked.


    It was alright for a woman to be a bit demanding in a rtionship sometimes, as long as it didn''t go overboard.


    Being loved and indulged was the highest level a woman could aspire to in a rtionship.


    But seeing Lisa''s rtionship made me feel bored, like the nd food I was having.


    "You can have a little, but not too much."


    Surprisingly, Brandon agreed with a condition.


    I withdrew my gaze and looked back at him. Seeing that I wasn''t responding, he added, "Be good Once you''re better, you can have as much as you want." Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    "Brandon," I called out to him. "I was just joking."


    Being sick and still craving sweets was just a self-inflicted misery. Such impulsiveness might be something a teenage girl would do, but d outgrown it.


    Brandon paused for a moment, then chuckled and lightly brushed my nose with his fingers. "Stinky."


    I was surprised to see the waiter serving the desserts.


    "Have some," Brandon said, ncing over at Lisa.


    "You''ll get what others have. And whatever they don''t, you''ll get that too," he added softly.


    Brandon had a serious demeanor. Despite that, his words were as tender as a feather''s touch.


    I took a bite of the mousse and said to him, "It''s really sweet."


    This sweetness wasn''t from the dessert but from Brandon''s care.


    "Did you see them? It looks like they barely talked. It''s almost like two strangers sharing a table."


    Though I was having my meal, my attention was still on Lisa.


    Brandon smiled gently.


    "You can talk about it with herter."


    "I feel like Lisa isn''t very proactive. How strange. She''s always so outgoing and energetic around me. But in front of someone she likes, she turns into a shy bunny. It''s such a contrast," Imented.


    "Everyone has different sides to them."


    Brandon handed me my juice and gestured to me to take a sip.


    I looked at him, who was considerate and attentive.


    "Yep, just like you."


    On the surface, he appeared to be a tough guy. But with me, he was more gentle, attentive, and understanding than anyone could ever be. "This isn''t working. I gotta text her," I said and picked up my phone.

 Chapter 359

    Chapter 359


    ?


    When I opened WhatsApp, I saw a message from someone named "HonorBound". The message simply said, "I''m Officer Jason."


    That kind of serious name wasn''t something a regr person would use. I tried to remember if I knew this person and realized that it might be the officer who gave me the death certificate yesterday.


    I didn''t get hisst name, but he was the only cop I''d talked to recently. Plus, he had asked me for my phone number. I figured that if he needed something, he''d message me again.


    I opened my WhatsApp chat with Lisa and sent her a message. "When you''re in a rtionship, you should y a little hard to get and act cute. Right now, you''re like an iron woman. How will you make a guy want to protect you?"


    After sending the message, I looked at Lisa, but she didn''t react at all, like she didn''t even have her phone. Anyway, I didn''t expect her to reply right away. I just wanted to give her a tip for next time.


    Brandon then said, "Stop messing around and eat."


    "Okay," I replied, and started eating my pasta.


    My throat still hurt, so I didn''t eat much. The fruit juice was really soothing, though it would''ve been perfect if it were chilled.


    I wasn''t very hungry, so I just sipped my juice and yed around, while Brandon ate seriously.


    Even though he looked rough, he had good table manners. He ate really fast. He finished his pasta quickly and left no crumbs behind.


    This was how he always ate, not just today. I knew it was a habit for him, like how my parents taught me to clean my te when I was a kid.


    I remembered that, but I didn''t always do it. I guessed that was just my way of rebelling.


    Chapter 359 1


    "It''s not about not being able to afford it. It''s about not needing Brandon said, reaching over my leftover


    over pasta. Content


    to NovelDrama.Org


    SWI


    Even though he''d taken my leftovers before, this was a restaurant. "Brandon..."


    "It doesn''t matter what others think. Wasting food is wrong," he said firmly.


    I didn''t have anything to say, so I just watched him finish my pasta.


    Feeling a bit embarrassed, I nudged his leg with my foot. He stopped eating and looked at me with a serious expression.


    I saw his Adam''s apple bob as he swallowed and said, "Stop messing around."


    I bit down on my straw and sipped my juice with a smile.


    "Laughing while drinking will make you choke," Brandon warned.


    I didn''t listen and teased him, "Choking might be fun. Then, you''d have to give me mouth-to-mouth."


    A series of hacking coughs sounded.


    I didn''t choke, but Brandon did.Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    Seeing him like that made meugh


    even more. Then, suddenly, a


    shadow appeared behind me,


    got so startled that I almost knocked over my juice.

 Chapter 360

    Chapter 360


    ?


    Brandon quickly caught the juice before it could spill. Before I could even turn my head, I heard a familiar voice right next to me. "Maddie, you really know how to handle men. I might need toe to you for lessons."


    Lisa had finally seen my message.


    I gave her a light tap. "Don''t you know that scaring someone can be dangerous?"


    "Scaring someone to death would be pretty expensive, wouldn''t it? Isn''t that right, Mr. Howell?" Lisa joked with Brandon.


    Lisa acted like a sweet littlemb around Keith but would be really bold and outspoken with everyone else. I couldn''t imagine how she managed to keep up the act with Keith.


    "Where''s Mr. Marrow?" I asked, noticing that Keith was gone.


    "He left," Lisa said, sitting down next to me and looking at Brandon. "Mr. Howell, you got two servings while Maddie didn''t get any. Isn''t that a bit unfair to your girlfriend?"


    Lisa''sment was clearly meant to point out that Brandon had eaten my portion. I gave her a gentle nudge to suggest that she should stop, as it might embarrass Brandon.


    Sharing my leftovers with Brandon was fine between us, but it might look bad if others saw it.


    But I was wrong. Brandon handled it smoothly. He continued eating calmly and said, "Her serving is right here."


    "Oh, so, you''re sharing a serving, Mr. Howell. How romantic," Lisa teased.


    "Yeah, Dr. Carline, maybe you should try this with Mr. Marrow next time," Brandon replied with a yful tone.


    Iughed, but Lisa pinched the arm where I had gotten my blood drawn, and I winced. "Ouch, that hurts."


    Brandon quickly said, "She just had blood drawn from that arm."


    Lisa looked worried and asked, "What happened?"


    "I got a fever," I said, leaning on Lisa''s shoulder. "You''re picking on a sick person."


    Lisa felt my forehead and asked, "How did you get a fever? What else is wrong?"


    "My throat hurts. It feels like I''m swallowing razor des," I said quietly.


    "Is it a viral flu? How long has it been since you had your blood drawn?" Lisa asked.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    "Since 8:30 am. I''m just waiting for the results," I said, looking at Brandon, who was still eating calmly as if we weren''t there.


    Brandon stayed calm no matter the situation. He was just like that.


    Lisa checked her watch and said, "The results for a basic blood test should be ready by now."


    She looked at me and added, "You seem better. If you still have energy to flirt with Mr. Howell, then you''re probably okay."


    Lisa really was my best friend. She was always teasing me, even with Brandon around.


    I wasn''t bothered by her jokes. "Yeah, with Mr. Howell taking such good care of me, I''m sure I''ll recover quickly."


    "Exactly. Love is the best medicine,"


    Lisa said with a smile as she


    up.


    leaving now. Find me


    you get your results


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    I waved


    Lisa garner with a yful gesture. then asked, "Which defordid


    me a mock angry look but


    you I go to? I can check for you."


    "Fever clinic," I said, just as a man walked over to us.


    I thought he was looking for Brandon, but he said, "Dr. Carline."


    Lisa''s face showed surprise and a hint of annoyance.


    After being friends with her for years, I knew that something was wrong, so I stood up too.


    "Dr. Carline, I''ve been trying to find


    you for


    at Lisays," the man said, looking


    with a strange expression. "I


    didn''t expect to see you here."

 Chapter 361

    Chapter 361


    Lisa''s face turned serious. "I''ve told you before. If you keep bothering me, I''ll report you for


    harassment."


    The man tried to exin, "Dr. Carline, I''m not harassing you. I really like you and want to be with


    you¡­"


    This made me think of the flowers signed "Your Missed Lover".


    The man went on, "Dr. Carline, I swear. I fell in love with you the moment I saw you¡­" He raised his


    hand, looking very sincere.


    I interrupted, "Dr. Carline actually feels disgusted by you the moment she sees you."


    I moved closer to Lisa, and Brandon stood up beside us. Brandon looked ready to handle the


    situation if needed.


    The man turned to me and asked, "Who are you? I''m talking to Dr. Carline. Mind your own


    business."


    Luckily, I hadn''t eaten much. Otherwise, his attitude might have made me sick.


    "Who do you think you are, thinking that Dr. Carline should listen to you just because you said that


    you like her?" I asked back.


    "My feelings for her are pure and noble," the man said, looking down on me as if I couldn''t


    understand his so-called great love.


    I looked him up and down. His Adidas shirt, Calvin Klein pants, and Nike shoes were all brand


    names, but they were all clearly fake.


    One shouldn''t need to show off fake brands. A man should be honest, even if he didn''t have much


    money.


    When I first met Brandon, he wore in clothes but seemed genuine. This guy showing off fake


    brands just seemed ridiculous.


    I noticed the green Rolex on his wrist and almostughed. I asked, "What makes you think that you


    have a chance with Dr. Carline? Do you even have enough money?"


    The man was speechless, not knowing how to answer.


    Before he could respond, I said, "Youin about a small price increase for iced coffee and


    think that you can win over Dr. Carline. Why don''t you look in the mirror when you get home?"


    People around us startedughing, and the man''s face turned red.


    "Don''t look down on me," he said, pointing at me.


    Brandon quickly grabbed the man''s arm, stopping him from pointing. The man pulled his arm back,


    looking scared.


    "Let''s go outside and talk," Brandon said calmly. He took the man by the shoulder and led him out.


    The man looked stunned as Brandon led him out of the restaurant. He was clearly in pain from


    Brandon''s grip.


    I saw Brandon let go of him outside, and the man immediately held his shoulder, which was


    obviously hurting.


    Lisa saw this too and said calmly, "I see why Chris left. He was no match for Brandon."


    "You''re heartless, making jokes while he''s in pain," I said, giving her a nudge.


    Lisaughed as she watched the man, who was now looking submissive and nodding to Brandon. "I


    don''t think we''ll see him again," shemented.


    Feeling a bit proud, I said, "It seems like Mr. Marrow should treat us to a meal. We''ve helped him


    get rid of his rival."


    Lisa teased, "If that''s the kind of rival he has, Keith must be feeling pretty awful."


    Remembering her call from yesterday, I asked, "Did Jewel abort the baby?"


    Lisa''s expression turned sad. "Let''s not talk about it," she replied.


    "What happened?" I asked, wanting to know.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.

 Chapter 362

    Chapter 362


    Lisa didn''t answer me but kept watching Brandon from the window. "How long is Mr. Howell going to


    be out there?"


    The man outside was almost begging, while Brandon just stood there with his hand in his pocket,


    bathed in the morning sun.


    I couldn''t stop staring.


    I felt a surge of pride at the thought that he was my man.


    Being involved with Brandon felt like a twist of fate. What began as a way to distract myself from my


    breakup with Chris had turned into something truly special.


    I realized I''d found a gem.


    Lisa nudged me with her shoulder. "You''re not answering me."


    I blinked and replied, "He should be done soon."


    The man outside was probably begging Brandon to fix his shoulder. Ellie had once told me that


    Brandon had learned how to set bones from an old viger because she had often dislocated her


    arm as a child and needed his help.


    He had spent enough time with the old viger to learn how to do it himself, which probably


    exined why the man was being so obedient toward Brandon now.


    The man was still pleading, but Brandon seemed to only be teaching him a lesson. He''d probably fix


    the man''s shoulder afterward. Besides, Brandon needed to take me to get my blood test results, so


    he wouldn''t spend too much time on this guy.


    He was probably waiting for Lisa and me, so I said, "He''ll probably finish up once we leave."


    Lisa understood right away. "Then, let''s talk while we walk."


    She took the coat from the chair and put it on me as she talked about Jewel''s situation.


    "I set up a check-up and surgery for Jewel after you said that she was fine. But after paying, she


    disappeared," Lisa said, frustrated.


    "She clearly didn''t want to go through with the abortion," I said, showing some disdain.


    "Exactly. If she didn''t want the abortion, then why did she keep asking me? You should find out what


    she''s up to," Lisa said.


    I understood that Jewel wanted Lisa to pass the message on to me so that I would tell Chris. Jewel


    was trying to use our desire to keep the baby to manipte us.


    "This time, she messed up," Lisa said with a small smile.


    I gave a slight smile back. "She''s one of those people who won''t quit until she gets what she wants.


    She''s always ying games."


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    Lisa was clearly frustrated. "Chris shoulde back. Why should you be the one dealing with this?"


    I nodded toward the door. "He should be back soon."


    Lisa looked at me and asked, "Did he update you?"


    Thinking about Chris'' dad, Zack, I said quietly, "His dad is sick. He has lung cancer."


    Lisa paused, understanding the seriousness of the situation without needing more words.


    We reached the door, and as expected, Brandon grabbed the man''s shoulder again.


    The man winced and cried out in pain as Brandon said, "Stay away from this hospital from now on."


    It was a pretty serious threat.


    Lisa nudged me. "Mr. Howell is really taking charge."


    Herment made me think about how Brandon still pretended to be a nobody with me, even


    though he was a big deal behind Xander. It still bothered me a bit.


    I didn''t respond to Lisa''s remark, as Brandon walked up just then and said, "Let''s go check the


    results now."


    Lisa moved aside to let Brandon through and stood on my other side. Brandon naturally took my


    hand, and Lisa winked at me.


    I wasn''t embarrassed at all. Instead, I decided to give Lisa a little advice. "Do you notice how Mr.


    Marrow usually stays calm and doesn''t always make the first move? Sometimes, you need to be the


    one to take action."


    I pulled my hand from Brandon''s and wrapped it around his arm. "Just like this."

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    Chapter 363


    "If you''d done this sooner, Chris wouldn''t have left," Lisa suddenly said.


    Bringing up an ex in front of a current partner could really mess things up.


    But I knew that Lisa wasn''t trying to hurt me. She was actually trying to get a reaction from Brandon.


    I saw her wink at me, which made me realize that she was testing him.


    No guy would like to hear about his girlfriend''s ex. Lisa wanted to see how Brandon would react.


    She was bold, not caring if she might upset Brandon.


    I looked at Brandon, but his face didn''t change at all.


    Lisa pressed, "Mr. Howell, don''t you agree?"


    I stayed quiet.


    "Mae only acts cute with me," Brandon said, sounding really affectionate. His answer was so sweet


    that it made the whole moment feel romantic.


    Lisa clicked her tongue. "Mr. Howell, you seem like a tech guy, but you''ve actually got a romantic


    side."


    "Chemistry has quantum reactions, which change every time based on quantum entanglement,"


    Brandon said, exining that his romance would be like a scientific mystery.


    Brandon''s way of mixing science with love was really impressive.


    "Mr. Howell, you definitely deserve to win Maddie''s heart," Lisa said, giving him a thumbs-up.


    I felt proud again. Meeting Brandon felt like a real blessing.


    "Maddie, you should thank Jewel," Lisa said with a wink.


    I got what she meant. "Yes, if it weren''t for her, I might not have met Mr. Howell."


    I leaned my head on Brandon''s shoulder, enjoying the moment.


    "Good thing I didn''t eat too much, or your lovey-dovey talk might have made me sick," Lisa joked.


    "We''re just showing you how it''s done. Pay attention," I teased back.


    As we joked around, we reached the hospital lobby. Just before we went inside, I saw Conrad.


    He was heading to a different area. When I tried to say hi, he walked right past us and headed


    toward the patient rooms.


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    It felt like we were strangers.


    I had a strange feeling. I could tell I was getting further away from the Gildon family.


    Lisa stayed with Brandon and me while we checked the test results. Everything looked fine. The


    fever I had was probably because of the stress and emotions I''d been feeling.


    Lisa had to head back to work, so Brandon and I went to visit Ellie. She seemed down, probably


    because her surgery couldn''t happen.


    Instead of giving her advice, I talked about other things and mentioned a concerting up. "Would


    you like to go?"


    "Can I go?" Ellie asked, looking at Brandon.


    Because of her heart condition, she had many restrictions on what she could do.


    "Bran, I promise I won''t get too excited," Ellie said, raising her hand like she was swearing an oath.


    Brandon said, "Okay, Mae and I will go with you."


    "Yay!" Ellie cheered, hugging me.


    She was already so excited. I worried she might get too worked up at the concert. I started to think


    maybe I shouldn''t have suggested it.


    I looked at Brandon. He walked over and tapped Ellie on the head. "You''re already this excited now.


    Imagine how you''ll be on the day of the concert. Maybe you should¡­"


    "I won''t get excited, I promise," Ellie said again, raising her hand and shaking it.


    I realized I made a mistake and decided not to bring it up again. Just then, my phone rang. It was


    Xander.


    I answered quickly and listened to what Xander had to say. Then, I looked at Brandon.

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    Chapter 364


    Xander wanted to take me out to dinner. Earlier, when I was getting my blood drawn, Brandon


    whispered something about it in my ear.


    I thought he was just saying it to distract me, so I didn''t take it seriously.


    "Is that Xander?" Brandon asked, getting right to the point.


    "Yeah," I said, looking at him. "Brandon, did you tell Xander to invite me?"


    Since Brandon was Xander''s boss, it would only take a word from him to make Xander do it.


    Brandon frowned a bit. "No."


    I smirked, thinking he was just trying to hide it.


    "He mentioned it to me earlier," Brandon exined.


    But was that really true? I didn''t care enough to figure it out.


    If someone was offering free food, why not take it? I smiled a little. "I said yes. Are youing too?"


    "Yeah," he replied, just like always. If someone kept track of his words, this one would win.


    Then, he added, "I don''t like my girlfriend having dinner alone with another guy."


    There was Brandon being possessive again.


    Ellie nced between us like a fangirl watching her favorite couple.


    "Bran, you''re really sweet to Mae," Ellie said, clearly impressed.


    Brandon didn''t hesitate. "Of course I am."


    "Mae," Ellie said, "Bran is more charming than any main character in a book. I didn''t expect that."


    Ellie probably thought her brother, who was usually quiet and serious, wouldn''t be romantic.


    "Don''t underestimate quiet people. They often have hidden talents," I said, looking at Brandon.


    "He''d make a great spy with how well he hides things."


    Ellieughed. "How did we go from talking about how sweet Bran is to him being a spy? Mae, what


    are you talking about?"


    She was too young to understand the deeper meaning behind my words.


    Brandon lightly tapped Ellie on the head. "You''ll be on your own for dinner tonight. What do you


    want? I''ll make it for you."


    Ellie was in a special VIP ward I set up for her, where she could have her meals prepared.


    "I want fried chicken," Ellie said without hesitation.


    "Got it. I''ll go pick up some chicken," Brandon said, then looked at me. "It''s hot outside, and you''re


    still recovering. You can stay here with Ellie or go find Lisa."


    "Thanks for being so thoughtful, Mr. Howell. And don''t forget to bring us both some milkshakes," I


    said, seeing Ellie''s face lit up.


    "Bran, I want a chocte milkshake," she added eagerly.


    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    I smiled and said, "I''ll take a strawberry milkshake."


    Ellie''s eyes sparkled. "Mae, is that vor good? Maybe we can share itter."


    What she didn''t know was that I had ordered the milkshake for her too. After all, I wasn''t really into


    milkshakes myself.


    "No problem," I said, then turned to Brandon. "Thanks for doing this, Mr. Howell."


    After Brandon left, Ellie leaned over and said, "Mae, it''s like your love story with Bran is straight out


    of a romance novel."


    She looked at me with wide, dreamy eyes.


    I smiled softly. "But even in those stories, the characters face challenges and tough times."


    Ellie shook her head. "No, you and Bran will only have good times. There will be no breakup or


    sadness."


    She reminded me of when I used to dream that Chris and I would have a perfect love story just like


    in the books¡ªfalling in love, getting married, having kids, and growing old together.


    Then, Ellie asked, "Mae, is something wrong? Are you and Bran having problems? Did he hurt


    you?" Her sudden concern was sweet and showed that she really cared.

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    Chapter 365


    I didn''t have any big problems with Brandon, just felt a bit ufortable about his secrets. But I


    couldn''t tell Ellie about that. Her heart was delicate, and she was quick to worry.


    "No, everything''s fine," I said with a smile. "You see how things are between Brandon and me."


    Her eyes were so clear and bright that I almost felt like I would dirty them just by looking.


    I put my hand up to gently cover her eyes. "Really, there''s nothing wrong. If you''re still worried, you


    can talk to Brandon when you get back."


    "Mae," Ellie said, hugging my arm and resting her head on my shoulder, "if Bran ever does


    something wrong, just scold him or give him a hard time. But don''t leave him."


    She spoke like she was pleading. I nudged her gently with my head. "Okay, I won''t."


    Ellie nodded and said, "Mae, I''ll always support you."


    Her worry was surprising. I didn''t realize how much I meant to her until now. It was the first time I felt


    so important to someone.


    "Mae," Ellie said suddenly, "if something bad happens to me, and you leave Bran too, he''ll be really


    sad."


    "Don''t say that," I reassured her. "Nothing''s going to happen to you."


    Ellie stayed quiet. I could tell she was anxious and scared.


    No one would want to face the possibility of death¡ªEllie and Zack included. Yet, fate was


    merciless, cing obstacles in their path that they had no choice but to confront.


    I talked about the concert to change the subject from Ellie''s sad mood. Just then, Lisa called.


    "Are you still at your sister-inw''s room?" she asked.


    "Yes, Dr. Carline. What do you need?" I answered.


    "I got some strawberries from someone. Come pick them up for Ellie," Lisa said. Even though she


    didn''t usually take gifts, she shared them with others.


    "Okay, I''lle by," I said, happy for an excuse to leave.


    When I got to Lisa''s office, she had already packed the strawberries, plus some cherries and


    blueberries. Since Lisa was busy in the operating room, her assistant gave me the fruit.


    As I struggled with the heavy bags of fruit, a friendly voice said, "Madeline, let me help you."


    I looked up and saw Charles. Before I could say anything, he took the bags from me.


    "I don''t need help. I can manage," I said, though it was clear I was struggling.


    Charles started to ask something but stopped. Then, he asked, "Where are you headed?"


    "To the orthopedic ward on the 12th floor," I replied.


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    "Okay, I''ll walk you there," Charles said, and he started walking ahead.


    I followed Charles for a moment, then asked, "How''s your mentor doing?"


    Charles tightened his grip on the fruit. "Still the same."


    "Do you visit every day?" I asked, feeling concerned.


    "Yeah," he answered.


    The way he said it made it feel more serious than usual.


    I took a deep breath and asked, "Is there anyone else with her?"


    He was quiet for a moment, then said, "There are others, but she''s been bedridden for nearly two


    years. The family''s patience is running out."


    Hearing that made me feel sad. I quickly asked, "Can I visit her now?"

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    Chapter 366


    Charles stopped and looked at me with surprise.


    I realized I might have overstepped, so I quickly added, "I didn''t mean anything bad. I just..."


    "It''s fine," Charles interrupted. "Before she got sick, she was full of energy and loved making friends.


    She''d be happy to see you," he said, still not looking at me, seeming almost like he was talking to


    himself.


    Seeing him like this made me feel sad.


    "Madeline,e with me," he said, then started walking again.


    As I followed him, I suddenly felt how heavy his burden had to be, like he was carrying too much.


    Charles took me to a rehabilitation ward that looked almost as fancy as the VIP ward. The ce


    was really nice, which meant that it was expensive. It was clear that the woman lying here came


    from a wealthy family.


    Charles hesitated at the door, seeming like he wanted to say something.


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    Thinking that he might be having second thoughts, I quickly said, "If it''s not a good time, we can


    skip this."


    "Madeline, she really does look a lot like you... just thinner now," he finally said.


    I''d almost forgotten that there was someone out there who looked just like me.


    I smiled softly. "Real beautyes from within, not just from looks."


    Charles gave a slight smile too. Then, he quietly opened the door.


    Inside, I saw a caregiver in a blue uniform, gently massaging the woman on the bed. When she


    noticed us, she stood up right away.


    "You can take a break now. We''ll call you if we need anything," Charles said politely.


    The caregiver nodded and left, but not before giving me a quick look, probably because of how


    much I looked like the woman lying on the bed.


    "Is it just the caregivers who take care of her when you''re not here?" I asked, trying to break the


    heavy silence in the room.


    Charles looked even more downcast. "Yeah, I have to work, so I can''t be here all the time," he said,


    setting the fruit on the table and then sitting next to the bed.


    I moved closer and saw the woman lying there. Her skin was so pale that it was almost see-


    through, and her hair was spread out over the pillow. Her eyes were gently closed, and her lips


    were slightly open.


    She didn''t look like she was in aa. She just looked like she was sleeping.


    She was beautiful, like Sleeping Beauty from the fairytale. The tear-shaped mole on her cheek


    made her look even more striking.


    Charles looked at the woman in the bed and spoke quietly, "She''s amazing. She skipped grades


    and got into Beckham University without taking any exams. By 26, she was already our mentor."


    He sounded really sad. "If it hadn''t been for that ident, she''d probably be the youngest professor


    by now."


    I asked, "What happened? Was it an ident?"


    Charles didn''t answer right away. After a long pause, he said, "It was my fault."


    His guilt was obvious. It was clear that this was really weighing down on him.


    I said softly, "Charles, she saved you. Don''t you think she''d want you to live without feeling so


    guilty?"


    Charles looked at me, but I kept watching the woman on the bed. "She protected you because she


    wanted you to be okay. If you let this guilt eat you up, then all her sacrifice will be for nothing."


    I said softly, "Charles, don''t let the guilt take over. It won''t change what has happened. Your mentor


    was amazing and had many dreams. Now, it''s up to you to make those dreamse true. As long


    as you work toward them, she''ll stay alive in your heart."


    I didn''t know where those words hade from, but they just came out. Charles looked at me, his


    eyes full of emotion. He seemed surprised and moved.


    "Did I say something wrong?" I asked, noticing his reaction.


    "No," Charles said, swallowing hard. "The way you spoke just now¡­ it was just like her."


    I felt a jolt in my heart and looked back at the woman on the bed.

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    Chapter 367


    Charles got up and went to the window. I wasn''t sure what he was doing, so I moved a bit closer to


    the bed.


    Up close, I noticed the woman looked a lot like me, not just in beauty but in other ways too.


    With my parents gone, a question which would be forever unanswered crossed my mind. I


    wondered if they had ever had another daughter.


    I nced at the namete by the bed. It read, "Emma Finnegan, age 28".


    In my mind, I thought, "Hello, Emma, I''m Madeline!"


    Charles then called for the caregiver. "Pleasee back now," he said.


    The caregiver came back quickly, and I followed Charles out of the room.


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    Charles walked quietly beside me, looking lost in thought. After a while, he said, "The doctors say


    there''s no chance for her to recover. Her family has given up."


    I asked him gently, "Are you having trouble epting that?"


    Charles walked slowly, almost dragging his feet. "Aren''t miracles supposed to happen sometimes?"


    he said quietly.


    Miracles were rare, even though we heard about them on TV. It was even less likely than winning


    the lottery.


    I walked next to him and said, "You mentioned she''s been like this for almost two years. Is that


    right?"


    "Almost," Charles replied softly.


    After so long, if a miracle was going to happen, it probably would have by now. Emma''s family


    giving up showed that hope was almost gone.


    "You should talk to her family again," I suggested.


    Charles looked down. "I''ve already tried. Her family wanted to give upst week, but I asked them


    to wait. They agreed to give me one more week, and now only three days are left."


    The situation was clear. As time passed and Emma stayed unresponsive, Charles was getting more


    worried.


    "Is it because you can''t let go, or because you don''t want to feel like you owe her forever?" I asked,


    trying to understand his feelings.


    Charles responded, "Even if she wakes up, I''ll still owe her."


    From the moment Emma had saved him, he would feel indebted, even if she recovered. He wasn''t


    just feeling guilty; he was emotionally stuck.


    "You''re struggling because you can''t convince her family and you feel powerless, right?" I said,


    understanding his frustration.


    Charles''s pace slowed. "I''m not family. I don''t have the right to make decisions."


    "I don''t even have the right to protect her," Charles said quietly, sounding very defeated.


    Seeing how sad he was, I asked, "Charles, do you have feelings for your mentor?"


    He looked at me, clearly shocked and confused. His reaction told me everything I needed to know.


    I didn''t know the whole story between them, but it was clear that things were very difficult.


    I felt even more sympathy for him now, even though I didn''t know how tofort him.


    Everyone had their own struggles, and only they could truly understand and heal their own pain.


    Charles didn''t say anything more and led me back to the room in silence.


    "Madeline, thank you," he said, giving me the fruit and looking genuinely grateful.


    I understood why he was thanking me. I nodded and said, "Charles, just keep moving forward."


    He nodded and left, and I stood there watching him until he disappeared around the corner. I stayed


    there, lost in thought.


    Then, I felt a light touch on my hand and looked up to see Brandon.

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    Chapter 368


    "The milkshakes are here," Brandon said as he entered, holding some fruits.


    He didn''t ask any questions, but I could tell that he knew something was wrong.


    I was too upset to exin, so I just followed him into the room.


    Ellie''s face brightened when she saw me. "Mae, the milkshakes are here! I''ve been waiting for you


    to try them."


    Brandon went straight to the kitchen with the fruits, and I watched him for a moment before going


    over to Ellie.


    "Mae, I''ve got everything ready. I was just waiting for you to help with the milkshakes," Ellie said,


    putting several cups on the table.


    I wasn''t in the mood for milkshakes. "You don''t have to share them. You can have them all to


    yourself."


    "Really?" Ellie''s eyes sparkled. "But I don''t have that big of a belly."


    Ellie poured the milkshakes while chatting. "Mae, where were you? Bran got worried and went


    looking for you after he finished with the groceries."


    I said, "I ran into a friend on my way here."


    Ellie handed me a milkshake and said, "You have so many friends. I want to make more friends,


    too."


    I replied, "You''re so friendly. You''ll make lots of friends soon."


    Ellie tasted her milkshake and said, "This is so good! There are so many vors. I want to try them


    all. Mae¡­"


    "Mae?" Ellie waved her hand in front of my face. "What''s wrong? You look like you''re not feeling


    well."


    Before I could answer, Ellie called out to the kitchen. "Bran,e and check on Mae."


    Brandon came out of the kitchen with a bowl of cherries and a te of strawberries. He looked


    worried as he set the fruit down and ced his cool hand on my forehead.


    His touch felt nice and soothing.


    "I''m okay," I said, taking his hand and pulling him to sit beside me. I leaned on him and rested my


    head on his shoulder. "I just went to see Emma Finnegan, Charles''s mentor."


    Brandon knew about Emma from before, so he understood without needing much more.


    "Did something happen that upset you?" he asked gently.


    I could tell he was concerned. "Emma''s family is giving up on her, and Charles is really upset. It''s


    tough for me, too."


    "No life should ever be given up on," I thought, feeling the heaviness of the situation. But with


    Emma''s condition, it seemed like holding on might not make a difference.


    Brandon didn''t say anything, but he gently rubbed his cheek against my hair tofort me.


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    "We need to look after ourselves, too," I said, holding his arm tighter and ncing at Ellie, who was


    now watching us and had set her milkshake aside.


    I reached out my other hand, and Ellie took it. "Mae, what''s going on with Emma?"


    Brandon spoke up for me, "She''s very ill and in a persistent sleep."


    He spoke gently to avoid upsetting Ellie.


    I felt bad for mentioning Emma, especially since Ellie was about to have a big surgery herself.


    "Is she in a vegetative state?" Ellie asked, understanding the situation.


    Brandon nodded, and Ellie moved closer, holding our hands. "Bran, Mae, I need to talk to you about


    something important."


    Her usual cheerful tone was gone, reced by seriousness. Brandon and I exchanged worried


    looks as I lifted my head from his shoulder.

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    Chapter 369


    "Don''t do that." Ellie pushed my head back onto Brandon''s shoulder. "Maddie, just lean on Bran like


    that. I love seeing you two all lovey-dovey."


    I looked at her helplessly.


    "Bran, Maddie." Ellie looked at us with her clear eyes. "I was going to wait a few days to say


    something, but since we''re on the topic, I might as well say it now."


    "Don''t overthink it, and don''t say anything silly." I already had a feeling about what she was going to


    say.


    However, Brandon said, "Let her speak."


    Ellie smiled at him. "You really are my brother. You know me best."


    After that, she looked at me. "Maddie, listen to me first."


    She giggled, then cleared her throat with a couple of coughs before gripping both mine and


    Brandon''s hands tightly. "Here I go."


    Both Brandon and I stayed silent, but our breathing became noticeably tense.


    "Bran, Maddie, I want to donate my organs." Her words caught Brandon and me by surprise, and


    they shocked us.


    "What are you talking about?" Brandon asked in a heavy tone.


    "I said I want to donate my organs, but only if my surgery fails or if something happens to me in the


    future," Ellie said in all seriousness.


    My breathing became heavier as well. "Why would you even think of that?"


    "Since my surgery needs someone else''s heart, I want to give back if the timees. Even if my


    heart can''t be used, my liver, kidneys, and corneas could still help someone else. I want to donate


    them to give others a chance at life." Ellie had a baby face with eyes as pure as a child''s.


    However, what she said was like thunder, and I felt a rush of blood from my feet to my head.


    Brandon didn''t speak. I couldn''t tell what he was feeling and turned to look at him.


    He was staring at Ellie with a tremor in his eyes as well.


    He was just as shocked as I was by Ellie, whom he had raised.


    "Bran, why aren''t you saying anything?" Ellie knew Brandon was the one who could decide her fate,


    and she looked at him nervously.


    "Bran, it doesn''t matter if you agree or not. I''ve already made up my mind. After all, I''m an adult


    now. I have the right to make my own decisions," Ellie said.


    I was too stunned to speak at that moment, and all I could do was look at Brandon.


    After a long pause, he finally looked at Ellie and asked, "Have you really made up your mind?"


    "Yes, I''ve had this thought for a long time," Ellie answered firmly.


    "Then, why didn''t you bring it up before?" Brandon asked again.


    Ellie nced at me, then lowered her voice as she said, "I was afraid that you wouldn''t agree."


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    "Bran, if something happens to me in the future and I end up in aa or something, don''t count on


    a miracle. Don''t let me just lie there like a living corpse. Just follow my wishes, donate what needs


    to be donated, and take my ashes back to my little courtyard. Bury me under the peach tree at the


    entrance."


    Her words gripped my heart like a hand. I felt like I couldn''t breathe.


    Yet, Ellie smiled brightly. Her eyes reflected a rainbow of colors. "That way, I can be the most


    beautiful flower every year."


    "Bran, please, just promise me, okay?" Ellie had said so much, but seeing that Brandon still hadn''t


    responded, she began to plead.


    Then, she looked at me. "Maddie, help me convince Bran."


    I couldn''t persuade him. Ellie had spoken so lightly, but for Brandon, it was far too cruel.


    If that day ever came, how could he bear to slowly separate from the sister that he loved so much?


    "Okay."


    Just when I thought Brandon would never agree, he actually did.


    "I promise you." Brandon''s voice was choked with emotion.

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    Chapter 370


    I was surprised that Brandon had agreed to her request, but his agreement made my heart ache


    even more.


    He clearly didn''t want to, yet he still respected Ellie''s wishes.


    Perhaps afraid that Brandon might change his mind, Ellie immediately took out her phone and


    registered online. Watching her carefully fill out the registration information, I realized that she


    carried incredible energy with her. This energy was positive, uplifting, and full of gratitude.


    "Brandon, let''s sign up together too." I couldn''t help but make my decision as well.


    Brandon looked at me, and even Ellie paused her registration. "Mae..."


    "Alright," Brandon agreed without hesitation and pulled out his phone.


    "Bran, Mae, you guys..." Ellie seemed both excited and uneasy.


    That was just how people were. Ellie could be stubborn when making decisions for herself, but


    when it involves others, she couldn''t easily ept it.


    But in the end, Ellie didn''t try to stop us. Instead, she turned her unease into a smile. "Bran, Mae,


    let''s apply together then. Hopefully, we''ll stay healthy for decades and won''t need to use this."


    She made both Brandon and meugh. I teased her by asking, "So, your grand act of love is just a


    formality and not from the heart?"


    Ellie yed along and said, "Mae, let''s just keep that between us."


    What was once a tense and heavy atmosphere turned into something lighthearted after Brandon


    and I decided to join in.


    "Bran, Mae,e on. Let''s celebrate. Let''s celebrate that we are all loving people, and let''s wish for


    our safety and health." Ellie raised her milkshake.


    Brandon and I each took a cup and clinked it with hers.


    "This is so good. It tastes so sweet," Ellie sighed after drinking.


    Seeing how easily she was satisfied, I silently prayed in my heart that her surgery would be


    sessful and that she would stay healthy and safe.


    Brandon cooked something delicious for Ellie. We were worried that she might feel lonely eating


    alone. Thus, we nned to stay and eat with her.


    "Don''t do that. If you eat here, you won''t be able to eat much at dinnerter, and that would be a


    waste." Ellieid out her little n so clearly that it didn''t evene off as annoying.


    "Bran, Mae, go have your dinner. Don''t worry about me. I''ve been eating alone for years." Ellie


    made us stop insisting.


    However, what she said made me realize how lonely she had been all these years, just like me after


    losing my parents. Even though I was surrounded by noise andughter in the Gildon family, there


    was still an emptiness deep inside of me.


    Brandon and I went to the restaurant that Xander had mentioned. He remained silent the entire way.


    I knew the thought of Ellie''s organ donation was weighing heavily on him. Even though he had


    agreed to her request, it still troubled him.


    "If you didn''t want to agree, why didn''t you just refuse? If you said no, Ellie wouldn''t have insisted," I


    said to Brandon.


    He stared ahead at the road. "I had no reason to refuse. Why should she be able to receive


    someone else''s donation, but if something happens to her one day, her organs can''t be donated to


    others?"


    Those who gave love would receive love, while those who gave blessings would receive blessings.


    N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    I understood Brandon''s thoughts, so I just held his hand. He looked at me, and we exchanged


    smiles.


    When the car stopped, I saw the hotel logo and remarked, "Mr. Roulder inviting me to dine at


    Hilcord''s finest hotel isn''t a trap, is it?"


    Brandon chuckled. "Mae, don''t always expect the worst."


    "On the bright side, I''m benefiting from some bigshot''s generosity." I didn''t look at Brandon but


    hinted at him with my words.


    "Maybe," he surprisingly agreed.


    I no longer expected him to admit his powerful status openly. If he wanted to y pretend, I''d y


    along.


    Xander didn''t give us a room number, but I knew that at a ce like this, all we had to do was


    mention the reservation name, and a waiter would lead the way.


    Sure enough, after Brandon mentioned Xander''s name, a waiter brought us to a private room.


    Before the waiter could even open the door, as if Xander had a radar tracking us, he came over to


    open it himself. He greeted us with great courtesy, saying, "Please,e in."


    There was no one else in the private room. It was just him.


    When I saw therge round table, my first thought was that it was both extravagant and wasteful.

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    ?


    "Please take a seat," Xander said as he guided Brandon and me to our seats.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    He didn''t seem at all like the big boss he was supposed to be.


    Because of this, I was sure that if it weren''t for Brandon''s hidden identity, Xander would never be acting this way.


    "Mr. Roulder," I called out to him. "You''re the boss, and we''re the employees. Isn''t it a bit inappropriate for you to be so attentive to us?"


    Xander paused for a moment. He nced at Brandon and then smiled. "There''s nothing inappropriate about it. We''re all colleagues here, like family."


    I gave a teasing smile. "But you''re still the boss. For you to treat us this way makes us a little uneasy."


    "Mr. Roulder, you don''t have to be so polite. Otherwise, we might not enjoy this meal in peace," Brandon chimed in.


    Xander quickly waved his hands. "Don''t overthink it. I''m just someone who doesn''t put on airs and doesn''t like to be formal. I prefer to keep things friendly, right, Mr. Howell?"


    "You''re too friendly." Brandon didn''t waste his breath


    Compared to Xander, Brandon looked more like the real boss.


    Xander chuckled. Then, his phone, which was resting on the table, beeped twice. He picked it up, nced at the screen, and stood up. "Please excuse me for a moment. I need to go meet someone."


    I was taken aback. "Mr. Roulder, did you invite someone else today?"


    "Yes, I did. Someone you''ve been wanting to meet." Xander gave me a yful wink.


    His wink made me shiver a little.


    At that moment, I heard Brandon clear his throat. "Mr. Roulder, is there something wrong with your eye? Do you need me to get you some eye drops?"


    I almost burst outughing.


    Xander caught on to what Brandon was implying and shook his head lightly. "Mr. Howell, there''s no need to be so petty."


    "When ites to my woman, I can''t help it." Brandon owning up to his possessiveness.


    Xander looked helpless. He gave


    Brandon a thumbs up before saying


    ????"


    Lout


    t wasting another word.


    After Xander left, I turned to Brandon. "So, are we here to apany someone for dinner today?"


    "We''re here to eat. Just eat whatever you like," Brandon replied as poured me a ss of water.


    He poured the water into a wine ss.


    "What''s that supposed to mean?" I asked while pouting at the ss.


    "You''re not feeling well, so you shouldn''t drink alcohol," Brandon said inly.


    I pursed my lips. "What if I want to drink?"


    I intentionally acted stubbornly to see how he''d respond.


    Brandon stayed silent for a few seconds before replying, "Then, you can have a little to satisfy your craving."


    I couldn''t help but burst intoughter, and Brandon looked at me in puzzlement. "What''s so funny?"


    "Brandon, you clearly don''t want me to drink, so why do you indulge me?" I smiled softly.


    Brandon pressed his lips together,


    then stood up. He walked around et


    behind me while holding the ss of water he had poured.


    His arm gently wrapped around me. as he set the


    lips ass down, and his


    lips brushed lightly against my ear as he whispered, "Because I can''t


    stand to see you unhappy en


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    His breath was warm against my ear, but his words warmed my heart even more.


    It had been so long since someone had pampered and indulged me like this.


    I reached up and hooked my arm around Brandon''s neck. Then, I pulled him down slightly and kissed him on the lips.


    Brandon remained still, so I yfully parted my lips, teasing him.


    Just as I was getting into it, the door to the private room suddenly opened.

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    ?


    "Oh!"


    At the sound of the exmation, I saw Xander turn his head to the side and cover his eyes with his hand.


    Brandon stood up straight and said calmly, "Mr. Roulder, haven''t you seen people in love before?"


    Xander lowered his hand. "I''ve seen it before, but this is the first time I''ve seen it done so... intimately."


    He turned to me. "Ms. Crown, you really live up to your reputation in the marketing department. You''ve developed a new style of affection."


    I was speechless.


    "Are you tired standing there? Others are." Brandon ended Xander''s teasing.


    Xander pped his forehead. "Look at me, so shocked that I forgot the main event."


    He moved aside and said, "Boss, please."


    Boss?


    I was startled and then saw a short, plump man with what looked like a seven-month ''pregnant belly'' walk in.


    Not knowing who this person was, I instinctively looked at Brandon.


    Thetter was already seated and gently rubbing his lips. I noticed a mark of my lipstick on his fingertips.


    "Boss, please take a seat here!" Xander eagerly pulled out the chair at the main seat.


    Only then did I remember that Xander had mentioned bringing someone I wanted to meet.


    Just as I was realizing this, Xander began the introduction. "Boss, these are the two recruits. This is our Technical Engineering Director, Brandon Howell, and this is our Marketing Director, Madeline Crown."


    He turned to us. "Mr. Howell, Ms. Crown, this is our big boss, Mr. Stephen."


    This was the big boss?


    He was the mysterious boss I had been curious about.


    The person in front of me did not match my expectations at all.


    Besides, hisst name was Howell too.


    Could it be that the person who invested in Xander''spany was actually this man?


    Wasn''t it Brandon?


    "Mr. Stephen." Brandon had already greeted Stephen.


    Meanwhile, I was still dazed, feeling like I had been hit with a heavy blow.


    It wasn''t until Xander called out to me. "Ms. Crown, stop being mesmerized by Mr. Stephen''s looks. Get up and say hello."


    I was speechless.


    Regaining myposure, I stood


    and nodded slightly to the man in front of me, who looked thirty in the face but fifty in the body. "M


    Stephen, I''m Madeline Crothe


    "I know who you are. Please, have a seat!" Stephen said with a warm smile.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    That did match the demeanor of someone who would give everyone a green light.


    Even so, I was still a bit shocked. Ever since I found out the person who invested in Xander was a Howell, I had assumed the big boss was Brandon.


    Realitypletely overturned my assumptions, and the impact was quite significant.


    Still, I felt something was off.


    I didn''t sit down but said, "Sorry, I need to make a phone call."


    As I headed for the door, I lowered my voice and said to Xander, "Mr. Roulder, could you step outside for a moment?"


    "Sure. I''m always free for a beauty.


    "Mr. Howell, chat with Mr. Stephen. You both share the Howell surname. Maybe you''ll discover you''re family."


    Xander then nce met


    I stood at the door while Xander followed me out with a bright smile on his face. "Ms. Crown, what did you want to talk to me about? Are you looking into Mr. Stephen?"


    "Yes!"


    Xander''s smile grew even brighter. "Ms. Crown, what do you want to know about Mr. Stephen? Are you curious if he''s married or has a girlfriend?"


    I skipped the pleasantries and asked straight away, "Is he really the big boss?"


    Xanderughed. "What''s the matter? Do you think he doesn''t look the part?"

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    Chapter 373


    ?


    "No," I replied.


    "I actually agree. He doesn''t look like a big boss at all. In terms of physique and demeanor, he can''tpare to me," Xander said as he puffed out his chest and struck a pose.


    "I heard that thepany was started because he invested money. Is that true?" I asked.


    "Yep. He''s the actual shareholder. As for me..." Xander smirked. "I may look the part, and everyone calls me Mr. Roulder, but I''m just a high-level employee, just like you and Mr. Howell."


    His self-deprecation was oddly friendly.


    "Then why doesn''t he manage thepany himself?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.


    "Are you serious?" Xander scoffed. "He''s got money and owns plenty ofpanies. He doesn''t have time to manage them all personally."


    I nced back at the private room. Was the short, plump man really that wealthy?


    After years of living among the wealthy in the Gildon family, I''d never heard of the Howells.


    "You don''t believe me?" It was as if Xander could read my thoughts. "That''s because you haven''t seen much."


    I was speechless.


    "The man inside, Stephen Howell, is the grandson of Henry Howell, the coal magnate from Ardinia. Don''t be fooled by his somewhat old-fashioned appearance. He''s actually just in his early 30s.


    "With the slowing down of the coal industry, the Howell family''s descendants have branched out into other industries. Although Mr. Stephen may not look impressive, he''s quite capable here." Xander tapped his head.


    His exnation cleared up my confusion.


    Still, I couldn''t resist teasing, "It seems like Ardinia''s people are expanding their reach here. His ambitions are quite broad."


    "Wherever there''s money, that''s where he''ll reach. Mr. Stephen also has international interests." Xander shook his head. "You didn''t expect that, did you?"


    "No, I didn''t." I pursed my lips. "Mr. Roulder, I didn''t expect the boss behind you to be someone else. I thought..."


    "What did you think?" Xander asked while smiling.


    I thought about Brandon''s humble status and decided not to mention it.


    Brandon, sharing the Howell surname, was far more impressive in terms of appearance and knowledgepared to Stephen. However, in terms of wealth, Stephen outshone him by a wide margin.


    "It''s nothing. Let''s go in. We wouldn''t want Mr. Stephen to get annoyed and kick us out." I tried to lighten the mood as I headed back to the private


    room.


    However, Xander blocked my path. "Ms. Crown, you''re not thinking that Mr. Howell''s surname means..."


    "No," I cut him off while smiling. "Brandon is just Brandon."


    "Brandon is a potential asset," Xander said just before I entered the room.


    As we pushed open the door, we saw Brandon and Stephen sitting in silence. They weren''t speaking but they both looked as though they had just finished a standoff.


    My heart skipped a beat. Had Brandon and Stephen had a disagreement?N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    But it seemed too early for that, considering they had just met.


    Seeing the tension, I decided to break the ice. "Mr. Stephen, I''m sorry."


    "It''s fine. Please, sit," Stephen said in an approachable manner, which didn''t quite fit his hidden billionaire status.


    Xander followed in and said, "I''ve just briefed Ms. Crown about you, Mr. Stephen."


    I was speechless.


    I was speechless indeed. Xander had clearly just revealed that I had been inquiring about Stephen.


    Before I could give Xander an


    annoyed look he continued to


    exin to Stephen with a smile, "Mr.


    Stephen, you should know that Ms. Crown has been wanting to learn about you for a while. She''s asked me several times, eager to get a glimpse of your esteemed self."


    I remained silent.


    "Is that so?" Brandon asked.


    His question made my heart skip a beat and made Xander chuckle,


    l


    MonMr. Howell. If you don''t believe


    you can ask Ms. Crown."


    Xander''s intelligence was genuinely concerning.


    "Let''s order food. Ms. Crown must be hungry by now." Brandon took over the conversation.


    Xander looked at Stephen, who gave a slight nod before he rang the bell to call for the food.


    Their actions confirmed that Stephen was indeed the big boss.


    However, why had Xander been so attentive and even somewhat ingratiating towards Brandon? I thought about it as I ate and still felt that something was off.

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    ?


    They had a peaceful meal because Stephen didn''t show even a hint of being a boss.


    Brandon only spoke asionally to serve me food or ask if I wanted water. He acted so aloof, and it was as if he were the boss.


    After the meal, Stephen quietly left in a low-profile Maybach.


    Xander, having had some drinks, called for a designated driver.


    While waiting for the driver, Xander draped his arm over Brandon''s shoulder and asked, "Bran, how was it? Are you satisfied with today''s meeting?" Brandon shrugged off his hand. "You''ve had too much to drink."


    "Not that much. I know you''re worried I''ll say something I shouldn''t, but don''t worry, I''m in control." Xander raised his hand again to pat Brandon on the shoulder.


    This time, Brandon grabbed his wrist. "Mr. Roulder, I don''t like people patting me on the shoulder. It''s best if you avoid doing it to others too. There''s a saying in mysticism that everyone''s shoulders carry their fortune. A pat like that might just knock someone''s good luck away. Got it?"


    I almostughed. I didn''t expect Brandon to care about such things.


    Xander was taken aback but thenughed. "Bran, when did you be such a nag? I remember you used to..."


    "Your ride''s here," Brandon cut him off just as the driver arrived.


    Before the driver could ask anything, Brandon spoke up. "It''s his car. He called you."


    Then, Brandon put his arm around my shoulders. "Let''s go."


    "But, Bran, I wasn''t finished talking. Why are you leaving?" Xander called after us, but Brandon didn''t stop in his tracks.


    We walked to the car, and I remained silent the entire time.


    "What''s wrong?" Brandon noticed something was off with me.


    I leaned against the car and looked at Brandon. "Do you think Mr. Stephen, whom we met today, seems like the big boss?"Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.


    Brandon frowned slightly. "Why? Do you think he doesn''t?"


    "Yeah, he doesn''t seem like it as much as you do." I stared into his eyes.


    "I think so too," Brandon replied. Then he added, "Mae, you can''t judge a book by its cover."


    I let out a soft, sarcasticugh and raised my hand to caress his face. "Yeah. You look like a domineering CEO from a romance novel, but you''re not." "Are you disappointed? Or do you wish I were?" Brandon asked.


    I shook my head. "No, don''t overthink it. I like men like you. Men with a clean background, simple and handsome. That makes me feel safe."


    I hadn''t drunk any alcohol that night, but my mood felt as if I had.


    "If one day I had money, Mae, would you feel unsafe?" Brandon asked me.


    I squinted my eyes. "Mr. Howell, when did you ever have money?"


    Brandon didn''t answer. I remembered how he couldn''t even afford Ellie''s surgery and tried tofort him. "Safety isn''t about money." Then, I withdrew my hand. "Let''s go."


    However, Brandon pinned my hand against the car and slowly leaned me down.


    He had drunk some alcohol that night. The faint odor of alcohol on his breath, mixed with the night air and my breath, was tantalizing.


    My fingers gripped the car door as I swallowed nervously. "Brandon, what are you doing?"


    Brandon stared at my lips. I knew he wanted to try the new type of kiss I''d taught him.


    I looked at his lips. The traces of my previous kiss and the red lipstick had long since faded on his lips. Still, I teased him and said, "Brandon, you look great with lipstick on,"


    He gave a hum in reply.


    Iughed. "Why do you just hum in reply? What does it mean?"


    "I want you to put it on me." Brandon brushed his nose against mine.


    "Only me?" I asked as my hand moved up to touch his throat.


    He gave another hum.


    My hand caressed his Adam''s apple. "Can I put some on here too?"


    "You''ve already done it before." Brandon''sment made me think about the time I''d marked him with a hickey.


    "Do you want it now?" he asked quietly when I didn''t respond.


    I opened my mouth and bit down on


    his lips. Brandon let out a low groan,


    and the next thing I knew, he lifted


    me and pressed me against the car door.


    UMS


    ????


    The night was dark, with the wind swirling around us. The car door was cold against my back while Brandon''s body radiated heatin front of me.

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    ?


    It felt like every cell in my body had been activated, and a deep, indescribable longing started to grow within me.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    It made me feel ashamed if I wasn''t a good woman.


    When I was with Chris, I never had this kind of impulse or desire.


    Even when we had stripped down, all I felt was nervousness and nothing like the intense need I was feeling now.


    It seemed that being with Brandon had made me wild and even a little wicked.


    I eagerly sought out Brandon''s lips, but he pulled away. I hooked my arm around his neck and called his name in a breathless whisper, "Brandon..." My voice sounded almost like I was crying.


    I had never experienced anything like this before, and it shocked me.


    But I couldn''t control myself. The urge inside me was so strong that I didn''t want to hold back, and maybe, deep down, I didn''t want to.


    With Brandon, I could always let out my most primal instincts.


    "Brandon..." I called out to him again as my lips found their way across his face in desperate kisses.


    His other hand gripped the back of my neck. His voice was low and hoarse. He was breathing heavily. "Mae, wait. Let''s go home." But I didn''t want to wait.


    The desire and pleasure I felt were fleeting, and if we waited, they would disappear.


    Yet, I knew we were outside, in a parking lot. If someone passed by, they would see us.


    Logic finally won over impulse. I let out all the pent-up desire on Brandon''s ear and neck, biting down hard before I stopped moving.


    He didn''t move either but tightened his grip around my waist until it felt like we were about to melt into each other.


    We stood for a long time before he loosened his hold on me, opened the car door, and helped me inside.


    By then, my impulse had faded, leaving only a weak, shaky feeling and the embarrassment of not being able to meet Brandon''s eyes.


    I guessed that was why people preferred to turn off the lights during intimate moments. It was because the darkness could hide the awkwardness.


    I curled up in the seat, closed my eyes, and started the car. But before I could drive off, Brandon leaned over and kissed my forehead. "That was my fault."


    I tensed up and was unsure of what he meant, until he added, "I shouldn''t have teased you."


    Was he messing with me?


    Did he think I wasn''t embarrassed enough?


    I gave him a light shove. "Don''t talk. You''re distracting me from driving."


    "Okay. Drive as fast as you can." He chuckled.


    Hisugh made my face even redder. I swatted at him again. "That''s not what I meant. I..."


    "What did you mean then?" he deliberately asked.


    I was speechless.


    "Brandon, I''ve noticed you''re quite the actor," I said before stepping on the gas.


    As the car pulled away, I heard him say softly, "Some things are just ingrained."


    It reminded me of what Lisa once said, "No matter how proper people seem, in bed, everyone reveals their most primal self."


    Was Brandon saying this to make me feel less embarrassed?


    Well, I didn''t care what he meant, and I didn''t bother to respond.


    When we arrived at theplex, it


    was pitch ck, with not even the et


    streetlights on. There were onl


    lights on in the building.


    W


    Most of the residents had already moved out, and the ce was almost deserted.


    Just as I was getting lost in thought,


    Brandon got out of the car and came around to open my door Before I could step out, he had already scooped me up into his arms.


    "I..."


    I barely started speaking before he interrupted me, "I was worried that your legs might be weak."


    My hand thudded against his chest as he carried me upstairs.


    The emptiness of theplex made


    myache a little. I rested my


    head on Brandon''s shoulder while looking around when suddenly, I spotted a familiar car.


    My grip tightened on Brandon''s arm. "Wait."

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    ?


    Brandon stopped without asking anything.


    I quickly went on to say, "It''s nothing. Let''s go upstairs."


    In the darkness, I looked down and recalled the person from earlier by the car.


    I thought he wouldn''t know I lived here. After all, this ce was about to be demolished. I didn''t expect him to know and evene by.


    Still, what was the point of himing now?


    Brandon''s strides were long. He was taking two steps at a time.


    "Open the door," Brandon said. He sounded slightly out of breath.


    I took out the key and unlocked the door. As soon as we were inside, he ced me on the shoe rack and looked at me.


    His eyes were deep and mysterious in the dark, like an ocean in the night, as if they could swallow me up at any moment.This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    I swallowed hard, and before I could speak, he was already kissing me.


    "Mae, I''m here for you now. Just take what you want," Brandon said as he started to remove his coat and pull at his cor. Earlier, it was me who was wild and urgent by the car. Now, it was him.


    However, I seemed to have lost my desire. The feeling was gone, and it couldn''t be recreated.


    Meanwhile, Brandon was clearly as eager and longing as I was earlier.


    Perhaps myck of response made Brandon realize this, so he stopped and buried his face in my neck while breathing heavily.


    We stayed like that in silence while holding the same position.


    After a while, his breathing gradually calmed, and he moved away from my neck.


    I reached out and grabbed him. "Brandon."


    He looked at me with eyes that made my heart skip a beat.


    Did he see the person I saw downstairs too?


    If so, he might think myck of response had something to do with that guy.


    "I''m still on my period," I whispered.


    "Hmm." He responded with just that word.


    Although I had heard it many times before, at that moment, it made him seem disappointed and indifferent.


    "Brandon, don''t misunderstand," I tried to exin.


    "No." He lifted my hand and held it. "You''re the one who shouldn''t be overthinking things."


    "Let''s shower and then go to sleep," Brandon said before picking me up and heading toward the bathroom.


    He was always like this. No matter how much I acted out or how difficult I was, he never got angry.


    This made me feel guilty. I stood on my tiptoes and reached up to kiss him.


    Brandon grabbed my waist and pushed me back down. "Mae, do you think I''m easy to push around?"


    I froze. I never expected him to say something like that.


    Brandon looked at me. "You''re taking


    5 be harsh with you,


    pushing me around."


    Despite his imposing height of nearly six and a half feet, Brandon looked vulnerable, like a child who had been mistreated for a long time and was finally showing his pain.


    I didn''t know what to say or do. I opened my mouth but couldn''t find the words.


    He then released my hand gently and walked out of the bathroom.


    Meanwhile, I stood there, motionless, feeling like a child who had made a mistake and didn''t know how to fix it.


    I didn''t manage to rinse off and just stood there. After a moment, I opened the bathroom door and rushed out. "Brandon..."


    He happened to be at the door and turned to look at me.


    I moved my lips. "I''m..."


    But he interrupted me before I could


    apologize. "I''m not leaving. I''m going to get something from.


    just


    and will be right back" Content


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    As soon as I heard this, tears began to stream down my face.


    Soon, they flowed continuously.


    I didn''t even know why I was crying. It was my fault for stirring him up and then not letting him settle down.

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    ?


    Even though he was right and I knew that I was at fault, why did I feel like I was the one who had been wronged? Why did I end up crying?


    Brandon turned back and, seeing me crying uncontrobly, reached out to hold me again. "It''s my fault for being too harsh. I won''t say such things again."


    The more he said this, the more upset I felt.


    I raised my hand and hit him. "You''re not at fault. Why are you saying it''s your fault? It''s clearly my mistake."


    "No, Mae, you''re not wrong. It''s my fault for having ill thoughts and speaking carelessly." Brandon insisted on taking the me.


    This made me even more distressed. I hit him again and again.


    Finally, overwhelmed by my tears, I bit him.


    "That hurts," Brandon said.


    It was the first time he had ever said that.


    I sighed in relief. Tears were still streaming down my face as I looked at him. Brandon wiped my tears away. "Once you''re done biting, no more crying. Otherwise, your eyes will be swollen tomorrow, and that won''t look good."


    "It''s all your fault," I med him again.


    "Yes, it''s my fault. I won''t do it again," Brandon said as he wiped my tears away.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    But he wasn''t at fault.


    I wrapped my arms around his waist and pressed my teary face against his chest. "I''ve be this way because of you."


    "Yes, so it''s my problem. I shouldn''t have said anything. I should be punished. Do you want to bite me again?" Brandon teased.


    I hit him, but he just held me close.


    Our heated argument left me in tears, but it ended swiftly, within five minutes.


    Despite the tears and the argument, the awkwardness lingered.


    Thus, I looked for a way to ease the tension. "I''d like some milk."


    "Okay. I''ll warm it up for you. You go take a shower," Brandon said before pushing me back into the bathroom and shutting the door behind me. "Brandon, I was wrong. I''ll change," I admitted through the door.


    "Mae, you''re always right," Brandon said before he left.


    I looked at my teary reflection in the mirror when he said that.


    In the past had always been careful around Chris. I never acted out of line. I monitored his every mood, and if he frowned, I would worry that I had upset him in some way. Content belongs to


    But now, despite Brandon''s indulgence and affection, I found myself acting out.


    "Madeline, you need to stop this," I said to myself.


    When I came out of the shower, Brandon had already warmed up the milk. He was now in his loungewear, sitting on the sofa and working on hisputer.


    I walked over, and he set aside hisputer to take the towel from my hand and dry my hair.


    As I drank the warm milk, I thought about the dinner we had and said, "Brandon, do you know I''ve been upset these past few days?"


    "What are you upset about?" His hand moved through my hair and massaged my scalp. It felt good.


    "I''m upset because you deceived me and didn''t tell me the truth."


    "Hmm?" He seemed confused.


    I nibbled on the edge of my cup. "I thought the boss behind Xander was you. I assumed you were deliberately hiding your identity from me." "Why did you think it was me?" Brandon asked again.


    I remembered overhearing his phone conversation with Xanderin the stairwell, along with other calls he made that day. I was worried that if I brought it up, he might realize I knew more than I was letting on.


    "Because yourst name is Howell too, and Xander''s fawning behavior made me think it was you," I exined.


    "Now that you know it''s not me, you''re not angry anymore, right? It''s okay if you''re not upset," Brandon said casually as if it didn''t matter to him.


    "Brandon," called softly. Then, like


    before, in the restaurant''s private room, draped my arms around his neck and kissed him with the scent of milk lingering on my lips.


    But this time, instead of being passive like before, Brandon deepened the kiss.


    Just as things were getting heated between us, my phone rang.


    It was Lisa.


    Ellie was still in the hospital. I couldn''t ignore her call. "Dr. Carline... What? Can you repeat that?"

 Chapter 378

    Chapter 378


    ?


    "Ellie can have the surgery now. It can be done in the next few days!" Lisa''s voice came through the speakerphone. Brandon immediately looked at me, and I nodded to confirm the good news.


    "Have they found a heart donor?" Brandon asked.


    Lisa paused on the other end, then said jokingly, "It''s prettyte, Mr. Howell. What are you still doing at Maddie''s ce?"


    She was clearly teasing Brandon, but now wasn''t the time for that. I cut her off, saying, "Cut it out. Get to the point."


    Lisa chuckled lightly and exined, "It''s not a new donor. The family of the previous donor changed their minds again." "What did Mr. Marrow say?" Brandon asked.


    "He said that Ellie''s test results are all good. As long as there are no unexpectedplications or infections, the surgery can happen within three days." The fact that Lisa could say that had to be because she had talked to Keith.


    Both Brandon and I were a bit excited. The veins on his forehead were even twitching. I held his hand as he asked Lisa, "Is there anything else I need to confirm with Mr. Marrow?"


    "Not really," Lisa replied. Then, she added, "Actually, yes. You need to prepare the payment for the surgery."


    I nced at Brandon and immediately caught his meaning. "Don''t worry. We have enough for the surgery. We won''t owe your hospital anything." "Okay. Then, I won''t keep you any longer," Lisa said. Just as I thought she was about to hang up, she added, "Mr. Howell, Maddie is now on her period, so the two of you can''t be intimate."


    I fell silent.


    Brandon did too.


    We were happy that Ellie could have the surgery, but we were also anxious. After all, any surgeryes with risks.


    That night, neither of us slept well.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.


    Before dawn, Brandon got up. I then heard the tter of pots and pans in the kitchen.


    He was making breakfast.


    If I was not mistaken, the breakfast was probably for Ellie as well.


    I got up and stared out the window for a while before grabbing my


    phone. I checked Instagram and saw that Jason, who had added me the day before, was now on my friends list. He hadn''t sent me any messages.


    Why did he add me if he wasn''t going to send me a message? Did he just want to add me on social media? What a waste of time.


    I stared at a profile picture for a moment, then opened his feed.


    I saw that Derick had posted an update from a billiards training venue. Then, I liked the post andmented, "I want tickets."


    I wasn''t sure how Brandon knew that I was up, but just as I was looking at the feed, he came in with a ss of warm water.


    He handed me the water. "I''ve made some potato soup. Can we bring it to the hospital and have breakfast with Ellie?" I smiled. "Of course we can."


    Brandon fixed my messy hair. "Mrs. Howell, we''re getting more in sync with each other."


    "Brandon, believe that Ellie will be


    bet


    fine. Keith wouldn''t have agreed the surgery if he wasn''t confident about it," I reassured him.


    We


    Brandon nodded and stroked my cheek. "Finish your water and get up. I''ll get the breakfast ready."


    After I finished the water and got up, I looked out the window and saw a few cigarette butts scattered on the ground below.


    They had been left by Chris the night before. He had returned and even found this ce.


    Still, he probably didn''te to see me because he saw me with Brandon.


    Brandon and I went to the hospital. Since it was early, there weren''t many people around.


    But because there were so few


    people, I spotted Charles right away. He was standing on the steps in the hospital lobby while looking up at the sky.


    He wasn''t doing anything but just standing there in that pose. I felt an indescribable sadness from that man.


    "Stop the car," I told Brandon.


    He stopped the car, and I pointed to the distance. "Look, it''s Charles."

 Chapter 379

    Chapter 379


    ?


    Brandon looked over and asked me, "Are you going to head over there?"


    I shook my head lightly. At that moment, Charles just needed to be alone.


    Brandon didn''t say anything more. After a few seconds, I looked away and said, "Let''s go."


    The car drove a long distance. Through the rearview mirror, I saw that Charles was still standing there in the same position, with an air of despair that seemed almost tangible around him.


    Because of Brandon, I remained distracted all the way to Ellie''s ward.


    Brandon didn''t say anything, but when we entered the room, he took my hand.


    When his fingers intertwined with mine, I immediately understood his thoughts. I smiled at him and said, "I won''t affect Ellie with my mood."


    "I just don''t want it to affect your appetite," he replied while squeezing my hand. "Everyone has their own sadness. He has to get through it on his own."


    "Yeah." I pushed open the door to the ward.


    Ellie had been reading a book. When she saw us, she immediately put it down and ran toward us. "Bran, Mae."


    Ellie was more lively and enthusiastic now than she had been in that secluded little courtyard. She was like a bird that had just been released from its cage.


    "Why are you here so early? Did you bring me food?" Ellie hugged me, but her eyes were fixed on the food container in Brandon''s hand.


    "We didn''t bring you food. We''re here to eat together." Ellie''s eyes lit up upon hearing that.


    She leaned her head on my shoulder. "Then, I''m sure I can eat an extra meatball."


    "There are no meatballs. You need to avoid greasy food and stick to a light diet," said Brandon.


    Ellie frowned at that.


    "I''m practically eating like a monk. I want meat!" Ellie responded brattily.


    Brandon put down the food container and tapped her on the forehead. "At most, you''ll eat like a nun."


    "Mae, look at Bran!" Ellieined to me.


    "After your surgery, Bran will cook


    you mea


    for all three meals," I said as I stroked her hair. "You''ll be able


    to have the surgery in three days."


    I was sure this good news hadn''t been shared with her yet because they were afraid that she''d get too excited.


    Ellie looked at me in disbelief. "Three days? Didn''t they say that it was postponed?"


    "It''s back on, so for the next three days, you need to take good care of yourself. Don''t get sick, don''t catch a cold, and don''t eat any greasy food." I held her hands and looked at her face, which was still full of youthful cogen. "Just hang in there a little longer."


    Ellie looked at me for a moment and then turned to Brandon. When she saw him nodding, she suddenly smiled.


    But as


    her


    Shed, tears welled up in


    os 3. & Yes. She hugged me and


    are mean. You


    said,


    but only told me out


    belongs to NovelDrama.Org


    I smiled helplessly. "Yes, we''re the bad guys for not telling you right away, Ellie, our little princess."


    After breakfast, I went to find Lisa. However, the image of Charles standing on those steps kept shing in my mind.


    A strong sense of foreboding made me uneasy. Thus, I turned around and headed to Emma''s ward.This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    Unlikest time, Emma''s room was bustling with activity. There were several people inside, and more were arriving.


    I stood quietly at the door and saw that everyone inside was wiping their tears.


    Charles was still there. He stood quietly and said nothing. His eyes were fixed on the person in the bed.


    It was as if the person on the bed was his entire world.


    If I still couldn''t tell that he liked Emma, then all my years of dating had been for nothing.


    "You should leave."


    Suddenly, a middle-aged woman spoke to Charles.


    However, Charles didn''t seem to have heard her. He didn''t respond or move.


    "Charles." The middle-aged woman''s voice grew louder. "You should go."


    "Are you really going to do that to her?" Charles finally spoke.


    No one answered him. Charles turned to a middle-aged man and asked, "Mr. Finnegan, are you really going to do that to her?"

 Chapter 380

    Chapter 380


    ?


    What did he mean by that?


    Was he talking about giving up on Emma?


    I stood at the doorway while watching Charles. His face was pale and tense. His hands were clenched into tight fists.


    "Charles, don''t you understand what I''m saying? Leave. Get out..." The middle-aged woman who was trying to push him away suddenly became hysterical as she shouted and shoved him.


    Charles stumbled. His thin face paled even more at this point. He struggled to stand upright and asked, "Can I stay with her until the end?"


    "Emma is like this because of you! If it weren''t for you, she wouldn''t be suffering! Give me back my Emma! Give me back my daughter!" The woman pounded on Charles with her fists.


    Watching this scene made my heart clench. I had the urge to step in and calm the situation.


    However, before I could move, the middle-aged man stepped forward and gently pulled the woman away. "Stop it. Let Emma have some peace in her final moments."


    "Emma... Emma..." The woman sobbed even more.


    The man wrapped his arms around her and started guiding her out. Meanwhile, I had forgotten to step aside until the couple walked right up to me and saw me.


    Only then did Ie to my senses and quickly greeted them, "Mr. and Mrs. Finnegan..."


    "Emma..." The middle-aged woman suddenly grabbed onto me with a surge of emotion.


    I knew I resembled Emma. Her longing for her daughter made it understandable that she mistook me for Emma.


    The middle-aged man, however, remained moreposed. He held onto his wife but looked at me with shock in his eyes. "You... you are..." "Mr. and Mrs. Finnegan, my name is Madeline Crown."


    "Madeline Crown?" The woman repeated my name and shook her head. Then she turned to her husband again. "James, this... this is..." "Ava, this isn''t Emma. Ms. Crown just looks simr to her," Emma''s father, James Finnegan, exined.


    Emma''s mother, Ava Lennon, looked


    at me once more and then nced back at the hospital room. Finally, she released my hand, but she kept muttering, "You''re not Emma Emma is gone."


    Hearing her say that felt like a dagger to my heart.


    "How... how do you look so much like Emma?" Ava questioned.


    How would I know?


    "Did you make yourself look like Emma on purpose to deceive us?" Ava suddenly became hostile.


    James quickly tried to calm her down. "You''re seeing things. You''re just missing Emma too much. Ms. Crown doesn''t look like Emma at all." "Right, Emma was much more beautiful." Ava nced at me again.


    I lowered my head slightly to avoid her gaze while James gently coaxed her to leave.This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    "Emma... I want Emma." Ava began pounding her fists on her husband''s chest.


    James let her hit him, but his eyes stayed on me. He was wondering why I looked so much like their daughter.


    Ava was too emotional. Thus, he eventually led her away.


    Yet, even as James walked further away, he kept turning back to look at me.


    Inside the hospital room, other


    rtives of Emma were gathered


    around her bed, leaving no space for


    Charles to get close. Even so, he


    remained standing there, rooted to the spot.


    I wanted to go in but felt it wasn''t appropriate.


    Besides, Charles didn''t seem to have any intention of leaving. Honest even if he had, I wouldn''t have


    known how tofort him ina situation like this. Content belongs


    to NovelDrama.Org


    Still, I was curious about what he had meant when he had said, "Are you really going to do that to her?" to Emma''s parents.


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    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!