Semua Bab The Love Triangle: Bab 421 - Bab 430

Xoan nearly leaped out of his skin. "Hey, you can't just throw accusations around."Madeline went quiet.In that era, in a society governed by law, the nation had been fighting and cleaning up for years, supposedly wiping out the underworld.Cimmerian Syndicate and hitmen. It all sounded like something out of a tall tale to Madeline.Xoan was at a loss for words. "Ever heard the saying? Where there's light, there's shadow."You're clueless not because they're non-existent, but because they're masters of hide and seek."Xoan only knew a little about them because he had been playing detective for ages.Madeline's expression soured.After a heavy sigh, she admitted, "I jumped to conclusions. You're spot on. Light casts shadows."However, with Lydia offering a reward, was she chummy with the mob or a hitman? Could that be another notch on her rap sheet?Madeline shook off the jumble in her head. "So, did you track down this 'Dark 153'?"A pause crackled through the phone. "What'

Stephen quickly got up to grab some tissues.However, Andrew beat him to it, gently dabbing away Sophia's tears with a sigh. "It's just a sweet treat. If you like it that much, we'll get more. Look, you've gone and scared Madeline."Sophia hastily wiped her eyes. "I just got caught up in the moment. Madeline, don't mind me."Madeline just shook her head with a gentle smile, lips pressed together.Yash looked on, a bit lost, his eyes flitting from one person to the next, but he kept his thoughts to himself.Sophia finally took a deep breath and chuckled, "Oh, look at me getting all worked up. I almost forgot about dinner. Madeline, check out the menu, will you? Pick whatever you like, let's order some more."The table was already heaped with Madeline's favorites.Madeline smiled gently and whispered, "No need. This is more than enough, and I love everything here."Sophia's eyes crinkled with a smile. "Great! Pregnant ladies having cravings is totally normal, so don't hold back,

Yash had thought long and hard about that.He had planned to choose a private disciple from among the many students.Ever since he got a glimpse of Madeline's incredible knack for art, he just could not see anyone else's work in the same light. Everyone else's stuff just seemed kind of plain compared to hers.He even ended up telling Andrew and Sophia about how awesome he thought she was.Andrew and Sophia were already fans of Madeline, especially after she swooped in to save the day during a live stream. They gave her props for that.The lunch was supposed to be about more than just grabbing a bite to eat. They wanted to chat about Madeline's art restoration.However, Madeline was not having any of it."Mr. Yash Ferguson, I really appreciate you wanting to help me out, but my mom's been my art coach since I was little. She always says our art might not be top-notch, but we've got this whole teaching tradition thing going on. I've already got a mentor, so I can't really take on

After making sure Sophia was settled, Stephen drove to Oralia.The moment he stepped in, the delicious smell of food hit him. Nash filled him in that Trevon had treated everyone, all for the sake of getting on Madeline's good side.Stephen could not help but laugh, though he was slightly irked. He had heard Trevon was still there, so he pushed the door open and walked in.Trevon saw him, slowly set down the painting he was holding, and stayed silent.Stephen scoffed, "Mr. Gibson, you were the high roller at the auction just yesterday, snapping up paintings left and right. What brings you back for more? Can't seem to burn through your cash fast enough?"The others in the room caught the tension and shared a quick, knowing look before slipping out quietly.Trevon glared at Stephen. "Oralia's doors are open for business. Since when do we turn away customers?"Stephen could not help but reveal Trevon's true colors. "Look, Mr. Gibson, if you're just a customer, then keep your nose ou

Reese caught a glimpse of Madeline's belly and instantly got the picture. She was shopping for more than just a house."If you're thinking about the school districts, Meadowvale and Farrington Heights are the way to go. They have international academies starting from kindergarten."Stephen asked, "What's your take, Madeline?"Madeline was on board with the idea.They all headed out to check out some houses.Farrington Heights had its high price tag for good reasons. The homes had a desirable open floor plan, and the amenities were top-notch.Madeline was totally into it after the tour, but the place was massive, over two thousand square feet. With all the extra costs, it was looking like it would cost close to a million dollars.Just the down payment would set her back nearly 450 grand. With renovations and monthly payments, it was way out of her league.Madeline was in a bind. "Got anything smaller? Something like a thousand square feet might be just right."Reese scratched h