oor, he found Madelynn standing
ched to the shoulders, while layers of sequins and fringe covered the hem, shimmering and swishing whenever s
alted b
d around and beamed at him. "Honey, you're up
y crossed the room, went to the
air beside him, then intentionally dragged it across
mouth. Then she said through a mouthful of food, "Your cook is pretty good. This tastes
His gaze, however, paused brief
humb and forefinger. They did not resemble the
a flaky pastry from the breakfast spread and bit into it. The past
sleeve, smearing grease acros
lly placed hi
teach you even the mo
astry still in her mouth. "That's how everyone ea
chievous smile. "If you can't tolerate
as he looked at her greas
ove that, wo
bowl of oatmeal was barely touched. Witho
breakfast!" Madelynn shouted aft
ing without eve
ugh the front door that the foolish g
reached into its pocket and pulled out her phone. After un
o the locals, there was a pharmaceutical factory on that site twenty years ago. It suddenly closed down and was abandoned. I also checked several old pharmacology books for
me the location of the factory. I'll make time to inspect it myself. Keep searching fo
was taken from a distance and showed a mist-covered valley deep in the rainforest. Ben
a moment then put her phone aw
e, something caught her attenti
he base of a decorative brass lamp. Its le
only yawned, slowly climbed the stair
er bedroom and shut the door,
talled surveillance ca
uched his food. Most of his at
between her thumb and forefinger were not the result of farmwork. M
on elsewhere. Else, she would not be able
e saw a gown covered in a massive peacock-fea
ending the charity
nity to see for himself just how "close"
eturned downstairs, only to find E
e her. The moment she spotted Madelynn, she smiled and waved her over. "Madelynn, c
fore rushing over. "Eleanor
r had come again. Maintaining her sweet, obedie
r took Madelynn's hand and gave it a gentle pat. "Why are your hands
he other, scrolling through his phone. Without lifting his eyes from t
to Madelynn and said softly, "Don't mind him. He's
ied it over to Madelynn. She took a spoonful. The pudding was crea
Madelynn enjoyed the desse
with Ethan. The Aldenridge Chamber of Commerce is hosting it, and many of the city's most influential people will
udding, Madelynn nodded. "Sur
ly set his
e other plans f
cup and gave a soft
tence. After a short pause, h
cancel
d. She lifted her cup
ous that he was far from happy about having her around. She immediately lowered her gaz
e was a child and was small for his age. Then, after he spent a year taking boxing classes, he suddenly had a growth spurt. At fourteen, he got int
n caught him looking their way several times. She suspected he was not p
d at last, rising from her seat. "I've been sitti
door then stopped and motioned Mad
er handbag and took out a card. She slipped it into Madelynn's palm, using her body
to use, so buy yourse
ught her attention. She recognized it as a card issued by a private bank in Aldenridge,
his is too
as always been stubborn, and he never learned how to treat people prop
hile putting on a look of gratitude and disbel
and straightened Madelynn's collar. Her expression softened as memories of the past ca
s face wavered briefly
e for a while, looking down at the card in her hand. Beneat
around it, then tucke
outside. Leaning against the door
gave yo
/1/127401/coverbig.jpg?v=859279dfe49c9695b8d4c0f6dbab6148&imageMogr2/format/webp)