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The Rewritten Love: A Second Beginning by Max Charming Chapter 851

Madelyn bent down and gave Dalton a soft kiss on the forehead. Her eyes were warm and loving.

Madelyn was still sharing the master bedroom with Zach at the Jent residence, becoming the main lady there. But she and Zach were not really husband and wife; they just lived together like a married couple. The maids at the Jent residence changed often. Most of them thought she was Zach’s real wife and would call her Mrs. Jardin when they saw her, except for Margaret, who always called her Ms. Jent. Madelyn did not mind. They could call her whatever they wanted.

The villa had added more guards for security, so Madelyn still could not leave. The only change from her previous life was that now, she had Dalton, who tied her down. Madelyn had been recovering in the villa, and she looked much healthier than before. However, she was still weak after battling a serious illness. Sometimes, she would feel tired just climbing the stairs.

Madelyn carried Dalton downstairs. He had picked up things quickly and now could already call her Mama.

A maid came up to Madelyn and said, “Mr. Jardin called to say he won’t be home for dinner tonight. He asked you to rest early and reminded you to take your medicine.”

Madelyn did not look at the maid as she walked to the kitchen and said flatly, “You don’t need to tell me about these things in the future.” She poured a glass of water and went upstairs. If she had looked, she would have seen that the phone on the coffee table was not hung up.

The maid watched Madelyn go upstairs and, once sure she was gone, picked up the phone, “Mr. Jardin, Mrs. Jardin has gone upstairs. Is there anything else you need?”

In the CEO’s office at Jardin Corporation, Zach wore gold-rimmed glasses and a wine-red vest over a black shirt. He stood by the big window. His face did not have the usual cold look that kept people away; instead, he looked a bit worried. He spoke into his cell phone, “Make sure she eats properly; I’ll try to get home early tonight.”

“Of course, Mr. Jardin. I’ll take good care of Mrs. Jardin.”

As Zach hung up, a voice rang out, “Mrs. Jardin? Zach, has the word got out that there’s a new Mrs. Jardin in just a few months?”

It had been a while since Zach had seen Cecilia, who now sported a charming, high society look, a shift from her previous strong, capable style. She walked into his office in high heels, holding a cigarette between her fingers. Her new relationship seemed to have changed her entirely.

Zach pocketed his phone and turned around, “What’s up?”

Cecilia looked at him. Her eyes held a hint of sadness, but she masked her emotions well. They had known each other for a long time, and Cecilia was much like Zach, minus his knack for strategizing and manipulating situations. Now, as before, Cecilia was just a pawn in Zach’s game.

Cecilia walked over, sat on the couch in front of him, and crossed her legs. She said, “Actually, I came to thank you for finding me such a strong supporter.”

Zach turned his gaze away from her. Just then, Kevin barged in, seemingly nervous because of Cecilia’s sudden appearance. Zach gestured dismissively, and Kevin nodded before exiting the room.

Mockingly, Cecilia said, “He really is loyal, isn’t he? Zach, how does someone like you have such devoted people around?”

Zach ignored her and walked past, “Did you come here to tell me this?”

Feeling ignored, Cecilia stood up and approached him, “Was Fred part of your plan from the start?”

Zach said, “I can overlook what happened at Supreme World since you helped me before. If you’re not here for work, you should leave Jardin Corporation now and keep it quiet.”

Cecilia had been unsure of her expectations from the moment she walked in, as Zach had always been indifferent toward her, “Zach, I was once the one you kept by your side, inseparable. Today, I’m here to say that I get your plan. You aim to tell the world you’re a widower since Yvonne’s gone, with plans to marry Madelyn next. But does Madelyn even know you’re her biological brother?”

Caught off guard, Zach looked up. His eyes briefly flashed with anger, but he quickly hid it. With a soft chuckle, he pulled a pack of cigarettes from the drawer and leaned back in his chair, looking at Cecilia with a composed expression, “You came prepared. So, how much money are you after?”

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Cecilia slammed her hands down on the table, leaning in toward him, “The incident at Supreme World was my doing, but what you did with Fred…” Her voice trailed off, then continued, “Let’s settle this matter. My aim is to become Mrs. Jardin.”

Zach tapped off the ash from his cigarette, “Isn’t being the Deputy CEO of Jardin Corporation enough for you? Do you think you’re fit to be Mrs, Jardin?”

Cecilia burst into laughter as if she had heard a joke that was too good to be true, “Zach, you really shouldn’t be the one saying that. Remember how you treated Madelyn in her previous life? Need a reminder? You were upset that she couldn’t have kids, had an affair with me for eight years, and then brought my child into your family.” She looked at him with a mocking smile, “You only got rid of Yvonne because she found out your secret. You’re just scared. You’re afraid that Madelyn will discover the awful truth about her own brother and that you want to marry her. Now-ah!”

With that, she screamed. Zach grabbed her hair and slammed her head onto the table. His eyes were cold and angry, and his demeanor was chilling as he held her there.

“If I ever hear these words again, not only will I remove you from your position, but I’ll ensure that you experience the horror of having your tongue cut out before being sent to Sin City to work as a prostitute. You’ve known me long enough to realize I show no leniency to anyone… especially not to you. Greed is a person’s downfall.” Indeed, Cecilia had been a substantial help, which was why Zach had tolerated her up to this point.

Cecilia struggled to breathe as Zach’s grip tightened around her neck, her face turning red. Her vision started to blur from the lack of oxygen. She tried to free herself, leaving red marks on Zach’s hand, but he remained unmoved. The menacing look in his eyes sent chills down her spine. Just when she thought Zach would strangle her, he let go. As she clutched her throat and coughed, Zach calmly stood up. He took a handkerchief from his pocket, wiped his hand, and tossed it onto her.

“Remember this moment. There won’t be a next time.” He paused before asking, “Are you leaving, or should I escort you out?”

Cecilia slowly rose to her feet, trembling slightly. “You’ll regret what you did today. And just so you know, Yvonne had a backup plan set up long ago. Do you really think you can hide this secret forever? I can’t wait to see Madelyn’s reaction when she learns the truth. Your relationship won’t last,” she said.

Not long after Cecilia left the office, Zach called out, “Kevin!”

Kevin stepped into the room. “Mr. Jardin, how can I help?” he asked.

“Did Yvonne leave anything behind before she was taken to the plane?” Zach’s voice was cold and stern.

Kevin paused before answering, “There was nothing unusual before shrded the plane.”

Annoyed, Zach snatched up a folder from the desk and flung it at him. “Go check now. If you can’t find anything, burn the Young residence to the ground,” he said.

Kevin looked up, shocked. “Mr. Jardin, we can’t target the Young family now. Ms. Jent just got out of the hospital, and the situation with the Arnold family isn’t resolved yet. If we take action against the Young family at this moment, the fragile bond you’ve managed to rebuild with her will break again. Have you forgotten all your efforts at Mistral Monastery over the past few months? I’ll investigate this matter first and report back as soon as I have any information.”

Zach’s voice rose with irritation. “Since when do you dictate my actions?” The mention of Madelyn clearly bothered him.

Quickly, Kevin said, “Mr. Jardin, for Ms. Jent’s sake, we need to approach this discreetly. Even if we’re careful, secrets can’t be hidden forever; Ms. Jent will suspect us if anything unusual happens. We can’t let Ms. Samford’s words derail us.”

Zách glanced at the photo of Madelyn and the child on the desk, closing his eyes for a moment. “Have someone keep a close eye on Cecilia. Tell Fred to ensure she stays out of trouble.”

Seeing that Zach had calmed down, Kevin breathed a sigh of relief. “Yes, Mr. Jardin.”

As Cecilia walked out of the company’s entrance, she flashed a sly smile. ‘Zach, to reach this position, one shouldn’t have any weaknesses; that’s what you taught me. Now, I want to see how far you’d go for Madelyn and how long you can protect her.’

At the Jent residence, Madelyn had dinner, then bathed the child upstairs. They played for a while before going to bed.

As usual, the maid called to provide an update. “Mr. Jardin, Mrs. Jardin has gone upstairs. Everything’s as usual; she didn’t do anything out of the ordinary, nor did she mention going out.” Hearing a disconnected tone from the phone, the servant realized Zach had hung up, so she hung up the phone.

At Supreme World’s Nightfall.

“So, instead of going home to be with her, you came to drink with me?” Kai said with annoyance. “Don’t you know I’ve been really busy lately? If you want to win her back, better spend this time at home with her.”

Zách said, “Do you think she can run away now?”

Kai picked up his glass, looked at the swirling liquid, and eyed Zach with a mix of amusement and skepticism. “Are you asking me?”

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At midnight, thunder boomed, jolting everyone awake. It echoed through Southern Haven Villas, making Dalton cry. Madelyn soothed him until he was calm, changed the wet sheets, and tossed them into the laundry hamper.

The thunder outside continued. Madelyn decided to take Dalton to Zach’s study. Dalton had recently put on some weight, so her arms began to ache after holding him. She sat on the couch and entertained Dalton with small toys. They were okay in the study, but Dalton started to cry again once they stepped outside.

Madelyn gently tapped Dalton’s nose, “Are you that scared of thunder?”

“Ma-Mama.”

Madelyn did not respond.

“Mama.”

“Ah, Ma-Mama.”

Madelyn looked at him, and he yawned. She tenderly picked him up, ready to head back to the room. Just then, she heard the sound of a car pulling up outside, and its headlights flashed past. Unfazed, Madelyn turned off the lights in the study and headed back to her room.

Kai looked up at the upper floor, helping a drunken Zach out of the car. He took the keys from Zach’s pocket, unlocked the door, and plopped him onto the couch without hesitation. He mocked Zach, saying, Drinking with me when you have such low tolerance? No wonder Cecilia got the better of you.”

Without delay, Kai glanced down the hallway and put down the keys, leaving the villa immediately. As he got into his car and buckled up, his phone rang. He was about to dismiss the unknown call when he saw Madelyn standing by the third-floor window of the villa, her phone up to her ear. He accepted the call.

“It’s rare for you to call me,” Kai said.

Madelyn, dressed in a thin nightgown, maintained a cool expression as she said in a detached tone,” Does your word still count?”

Kai replied, “It always does, no matter what.”

“Good. I need your help.”

Kai agreed immediately, “I’ll help with anything. Just say the word.” Kai started, “These days, are you–”

His question was left unfinished as Madelyn, getting her answer, ended the conversation abruptly.

Once she was back in her room, Madelyn closed the curtains. Kai, smiling slightly, looked away. He ignored another incoming call, accelerated, and left the villa.

Shortly after Madelyn got into bed and drifted off, she heard unsteady footsteps outside her room. Suddenly, the door swung open, and a figure stumbled in, collapsing onto the bed and wrapping her tightly in an embrace. Madelyn opened her eyes, staring blankly at the dark corner of the room.

“Why don’t you ever call me?”

Madelyn felt his warm body and smelled the strong scent of alcohol. She whispered, “Dal just fell asleep. Don’t wake him up.”

The drunk Zach tried to get closer to Madelyn. Her voice slightly trembled as she pushed his hand away, Zach! It’s late, I need to rest.” But Zach did not stop; the alcohol made him bold. He tried to kiss her again.

Madelyn frowned, uncomfortable with his advances. She knew resisting would not change much. Even if she could push him away, what then? Zach’s actions were wild, making Madelyn feel lost, like she was caught in a storm without an escape.

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Madelyn lay still, feeling overwhelmed, as morning began to break.

After an intimate night, Zach, who was drenched in sweat, woke up. He gently lifted a drained Madelyn, taking a moment to freshen up in the bathroom. He then returned her to the bedroom to rest. In the dim light, he gazed at her, tracing her face, and whispered, “One day, I’ll make sure you willingly stay by my side. Don’t even think about running away again. This time, it’s just the two of us. No Cecilia. Even if we never have kids.”

The dim room was filled with the echo of Zach’s voice. Madelyn, too tired to fully grasp what he was saying, struggled to keep her eyes open. Eventually, she succumbed to sleep. When she awoke, the clock pointed to noon, and she noticed Dalton was no longer there. She sat up sore and tired, with the marks on her skin hinting at the intensity of the night before.

She was interrupted by a knock, “Ms. Jent, are you awake?” It was Margaret.

Madelyn replied, “Come on in.”

Margaret entered the room, quickly shutting the door against the cold. Seeing Madelyn’s state on the bed, she thought, ‘What happened with Zach for her to end up like this? She was recovering just fine.’ Margaret fetched a warm shawl from the closet and draped it over Madelyn, “He went too far. If you’re feeling off, let me know. We can call a doctor.”

Madelyn shook her head, “No need. Some rest will do. Where’s Dal?”

“Mr. Jardin left early today,” Margaret said. “Dal’s in the nursery. He also mentioned making some chicken soup for you.”

Madelyn was not in the mood to eat, “You can go now; I need more rest.”

Margaret replied with a worried look, “Just tell me if you’re not feeling well. Don’t push yourself.”

Madelyn’s voice was faint, “Okay.”

After Margaret left, Madelyn sat up a bit longer before changing into a long dress with warm leggings. Then, she headed to Hayson’s study to find photographs of her mother. Dust covered the long-neglected photos. Sitting on the floor, she cleaned them gently, lost in thought. Just then, a maid burst into the room.

“Mrs. Jardin,” the maid said, “Mr. Jardin mentioned he’ll return for lunch.”

Madelyn gave a brief nod, her attention still on the album. When she glanced up, she saw the steady fall of snow outside, with snowflakes vanishing as soon as they landed.

‘Mom, you endured so much for me here. Now, I get a sense of those heavy days you faced. Yet, my situation is different; I don’t have children, and I’m not bound to stay.’

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The snowfall reminded her of Ethan’s visit to Paris. Ethan, dressed in a black coat, sat on her favorite long wooden bench with snowflakes settling on his shoulders. After brushing them off, he waited for her for a long time.

“Ms. Jent, why are you crying?” Margaret entered and saw Madelyn sitting on the floor with tears streaming down her face. Concerned, Margaret quickly approached and asked, “What happened?” She tried to comfort Madelyn, wiping away her tears.

Madelyn said, “It’s okay. I’m fine.”

Margaret noticed the person in the photo album Madelyn was holding, “Who’s this? She’s so beautiful!” Eager to get a closer look, she picked up the photo, saying, “She looks like something out of a fairy tale.”

Madelyn replied, “That’s my mom.”

Margaret grinned, “That makes sense. You have that same fairy tale look.”

Only the Jent family’s old servants knew about Alicia, the previous lady of the house.

Madelyn began softly, “My mom was always such a gentle soul. She loved painting and especially loved peonies. Erick planted a whole field of peonies at the manor to make her happy. When they bloomed, the entire place seemed blanketed in them!” At the Jent residence, Margaret was the only person she opened up to. Talking about it felt like she was finally letting out emotions she had kept inside.

“You love painting too. Did you get that from her? What happened to her later?” Margaret asked, piecing things together.

Madelyn hesitated, then whispered, “She… passed away when she had me.”

There was a knock, and a maid said, “Mrs. Jardin, Mr. Jardin’s back.”

Margaret immediately stood. Chatting with Madelyn always felt natural; when they were together, the usual boundaries between employer and employee seemed to disappear. However, Zach’s mere presence was daunting to Margaret, making her uneasy each time they crossed paths.

After parking his car, Zach entered the foyer through the main entrance.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Jardin.”

“Where’s Mrs. Jardin?”

The maid replied, “She’s been upstairs since breakfast.”

With a nod, Zach headed up.

Madelyn hung pictures with Margaret’s help, “Ms. Jent, be careful. I couldn’t bear it if something happens to you.”

“I’ll be careful,” Madelyn said.

Margaret quickly spotted Zach at the doorway. As he gestured for her to leave, she quietly stepped out. Madelyn, still on the stool, asked, “Is this photo tilted?”

“Looks just right,” Zach replied.

Madelyn, casting a sidelong glance, realized Zach was watching her. He seemed uninterested in the photos. Instead, his entire attention was on her. Holding out his hand, he said, “You should let the maids do this. It’s risky.” Madelyn hesitated for a moment, then placed her hand in his. With care, he helped her down from the stool.

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Zach’s lips curved into a subtle smirk. Madelyn looked around at the photos she had just set up, feeling quite pleased. “Weren’t you heading to the office?” she asked.

“Why can’t I spend some time at home with you?” Zach asked, reaching out and gently tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. “Does it still hurt?”

Despite trying to remain calm, Madelyn was taken aback by Zach’s forward comments. Her cheeks turned a shade of pink, and she gently pushed his hand away. “Thanks for asking,” she said with a hint of coolness. “I’m doing much better now.”

Zach raised an eyebrow at her response, “Still not used to me, huh?”

Zach’s outburst took Madelyn by surprise. Keeping her cool, she said, “If you care about me, a ‘thank you’ is appropriate, right? Don’t dump your outside frustrations on me.”

When she tried to step back, Zach’s hold on her wrist stopped her, pressing her against the wall. His eyes showed clear irritation, “When will you start thinking? You know a simple ‘thanks’ isn’t what I’m after.”

Madelyn shot back, “Isn’t my body the one you wanted? Haven’t you already had that? What more do you want from me?” She felt uneasy under his intense gaze

Zach smirked, “There’s more to it, and you know it.” Inside, he mused, ‘She’s good at playing dumb. I wonder how long she can keep it up.’

Madelyn hesitated, knowing arguing would not help, “Okay, I get it. If you don’t like something, I won’t mention it.” Wanting to shift the focus, she said, “Unless there’s something else, I’m off to see Dal.”

“Hold on.” Pleased with her response, Zach gently picked up Madelyn, causing her eyes to widen. Grasping his shirt collar, she said, “It’s still daytime. Maybe later?”

Zach teased, “Later for what?”

Lost in thought and grumbling inwardly about Zach’s unpredictability, Madelyn realized she might have misunderstood his intentions. Zach reached into the cupboard to retrieve a well-used ointment as she sat in his lap. He squeezed a little ointment onto his hand and raised the hem of her sleepwear. She felt ashamed and closed her legs tightly.

‘So this was his intention,’ Madelyn realized. “I’m okay; it doesn’t hurt,” she said, even as Zach held her firmly.

“Don’t worry,” Zach replied soothingly.

The mere thought of their previous intimate moments aroused Zach, and Madelyn could sense that. But she did not dare to move. In the next second, he was already kissing her and made further advances. His breathing grew uneven. After a brief moment, he gave her several gentle kisses and paused, looking at her intensely.

“You sure you’re okay? You can be so stubborn sometimes,” he said.

“It’s a little sore.”

“I think some gentle rubbing might help. It should feel better soon.”

“Zach, can you let go for a moment?” Madelyn asked, a hint of embarrassment in her voice.

“Just be patient with me.”

The two spent about an hour in the room. After that, Zach carefully fixed Madelyn’s hair, making sure it looked neat.

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Madelyn caught her breath. Zach helped her into a fresh skirt before carrying her downstairs to eat. Dalton, his face showing signs of healing, played with his spoon as he sat in a kiddie chair. The maids smiled, watching the couple come down the stairs. After Madelyn took her seat beside Zach, a maid swiftly brought over a bowl of chicken soup. Seeing it, Madelyn’s face showed a hint of displeasure. “You don’t like the soup?” Zach asked.

“It just tastes different from what I’m used to.”

Understanding her, Zach said, “You don’t need to eat it.” He signaled to the maid, “Take it

The maid nodded, replying, “Yes, Mr. Jardin,” and promptly removed the bowl.

Zach then asked, “Ready to dig in?”

away.”

Madelyn always took her time eating. Even as a kid, finishing just one plate of food could take her up to half an hour. Her father, Hayson, had a saying: “Stay quiet at the dinner table and bedtime.” Because of that, she usually did not chat during meals unless someone spoke to her first. As she ate and then helped clean up Dalton’s little spill, Zach watched with a contented look. She did not even realize he was observing her so closely. Thankfully, Dalton’s clothes remained spotless after the spill.

“In the future, make half as much. It’s plenty.”

“Understood, Mrs. Jardin,” the maid replied.

The maid took Dalton away from the table, leaving Madelyn and Zach alone. After finishing his meal, Zach instinctively reached for his pack of cigarettes. However, seeing that Madelyn was still eating, he paused and set the pack back down.

Feeling his lingering gaze, Madelyn asked, “Why are you always staring? If you want to smoke, just go ahead.”

Chuckling, Zach said, “I’ll go have a quick smoke, then come back and join you.”

Madelyn watched as Zach went outside to smoke. She did not like the smell of smoke, which was why Zach always went outside to do it. Seeing him smoke made her lose her appetite, so she went upstairs without finishing her meal.

After a heavy snowfall, the maids went outside to do some shoveling. Zach’s phone buzzed; he answered it and said, “What’s going on?”

Kevin said, “The ring design is with the designer now. Eric told me it’s pretty detailed, so making it will take about two months.”

Zach exhaled, his intent gaze momentarily obscured by the smoke, “Tell him to speed it up. I want the ring in a month.”

Kevin replied, “Understood. I’ll pass on the message.”

The ring’s design held a deep meaning. Zach had personally drawn it with thoughts of a lasting future with Madelyn after their passionate night together. While he once did not feel strongly about whom he ended up with, as evidenced by his earlier relationship with Yvonne, with Madelyn, everything just clicked.

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Zach was always spontaneous. He guided Madelyn to the driver’s seat in the garage and fastened her seatbelt.

“No lectures today,” Zach said. “Start by reversing the car. Remember how I taught you?”

Madelyn gripped the steering wheel. “It’s been a while; I think I’ve forgotten,” she said with a hint of nervousness. “Can you show me again? I promise I’ll pay closer attention.”

Zach looked at her sternly. “You excel in many areas, but driving isn’t one of them. When will I ever trust you behind the wheel alone?” He was just commenting offhand. Even if she learned the basics, she would not be allowed to drive alone.

Madelyn’s driving skills were clearly lacking for Zach to be so direct. Yet, she was not the type to back down easily. With a resolute tone, she said, “I’ll improve with more practice. Not everything’s as clear-cut as you think.”

Zach chuckled, nodding, “All right. I’m eager to see your progress.”

Madelyn had a tough time driving, taking nearly twenty minutes to back out of the driveway and even hitting a parked car in the process. Zach was not bothered about the damage to the car, but he was frustrated. Despite his efforts to teach her, she was not catching on.

After an hour of practice, Zach stepped out of the car for a smoke. Madelyn stayed inside the basic Panamera from Zach’s collection-the car he had bought specifically for her lessons. Hesitating, her foot hovered over the gas pedal. She caught Zach’s gaze, and it felt like he could read her thoughts for a brief moment. She quickly averted her eyes.

Zach said, “You’ve been practicing for quite some time. Why not try driving back on your own?” Gripping the wheel and staring at Zach’s back, a look flashed in Madelyn’s eyes that she rarely ever showed-like she wanted to end him. Suddenly, without giving it much thought and focusing on his back, she floored the gas. The car shot forward. She thought, If he were gone, everything would be over.’

As Madelyn drove quickly toward Zach, a bodyguard rushed up, whispering something to him. Zach, eyes locked on the speeding car, waved off the bodyguard With Zach just a few feet away and not moving, Madelyn hit the brakes hard. The force of the sudden stop made her lean forward, twisting her wrist and causing her to be in pain.

Without hesitation, Zach was at her side. He silently opened the car door, unbuckled her seatbelt, and carried her out. Madelyn was startled by his actions. She felt nervous and did not look at him, worried about what he might think. She wrapped her arms around Zach’s neck. “What’s wrong?” she asked.

“Fred’s here,” Zach replied. “I’m taking you to your room. Don’t come downstairs until he’s gone.”

“Fred? Who’s that?”

All Madelyn knew of Fred was from whispers about his shady dealings in her past life. She wondered. about his presence at the Jent residence.

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“Do you remember him?”

Madelyn asked, “Did I know him before? Or were we supposed to?”

Zach replied, “You don’t need to know him. If you see him, just keep your distance; you don’t want to be on his radar.”

Madelyn tried to recall anything about Fred. After Zach carried her to her room, he told Margaret to keep an eye on her and ensure she did not wander around.

As Zach came downstairs, a black car pulled up outside the Jardin residence. A man stepped out, his scar over one of his eyes giving him an intimidating look. Snowflakes clung to the badge on his shoulder and his tall boots. The maids were hesitant to approach.

“Sir, who are you looking for?”

“I’m looking for the master of the house,” a man who appeared to be a prison officer replied.

Fred gestured for his deputy to step back, “Where’s Zach? I’m a friend of his.”

“Mr. Jardin is-”

Before the maid could finish, Zach interrupted, “Got a lot of free time lately?”

Fred’s cold eyes met Zach’s as he approached, and the maid quickly stepped aside. “Heard you’re out of the game,” Fred said. Just as he was about to enter, Zach stopped him at the door.

“Change your shoes before coming in, Zach said, glancing at the rug by the entrance. He was not sure Fred could cover the cost if it got damaged.

Fred scoffed, “Now that you got money, you think you’re all that?”

Zach replied, “Having money does make a difference.

A maid brought a pair of fresh slippers, placing the snow-dusted military boots outside. Not many dared to challenge Fred due to his intimidating presence. The deputy warden quickly switched out Fred’s shoes. Familiar with the strict ambiance of prisons, Fred marveled at the house’s luxury as he stepped into the living room.

“With all your money, you’re living here? Didn’t you already get the deed to the Arnold residence? I also heard you left your business for a woman. She’s your enemy’s daughter, right?” When Zach stayed silent, Fred felt he had guessed correctly, “I didn’t really see her when we were at Portsmouth Fishing Village. What makes her so special?”

Zach said firmly, “Enough.”

Fred chuckled, “You’ve changed so much, all over a woman. I miss the old you.” They had always been alike. For them, relationships and women were just part of life’s many games.

A maid set two cups of coffee before Zach and Fred. Fred, usually preferring liquor, looked at the coffee thoughtfully. After taking a sip, he said, “It’s been ages since I had coffee like this.” Shifting the topic, he continued, “I’ve got a shipment worth $5 million. Interested in a share?”

Zach shook his head, “I’ve left that world behind.”

Fred’s laughter echoed in the room, a sound both jarring and chilling, “Turning down all that money? What if I offer you a better cut, given our history?”

Zach replied, “No thanks.”

Fred seemed upset with Zach’s rejection. They had been partners for so long, and now Zach had changed, all because of a woman.

The doorbell interrupted their thoughts. Both men looked toward the entrance. The maid quickly said, “It’s Ms. Harper. She brought the snacks Mrs. Jardin wanted,”

Zach asked, “Did Mrs. Jardin ask her to come?”

The maid nodded, “Yes, she did.”

Zach said, “Let her in.”

“Of course,” the maid replied and opened the door for Mya.

Outside, holding a food container, Mya stared nervously at the car in the yard. As the maid opened the door, she looked up.

“Ms. Harper,” the maid greeted.

“Where’s Madelyn?” Mya asked.

“She’s resting upstairs. You can head up.”

“Thanks.”

Mya changed her shoes by the entrance. Hearing her speak, Fred’s attention was drawn to her. He recognized her voice immediately.

Mya wore a fluffy coat with a hood that shielded most of her hair, revealing her delicate face. Two fur patches adorned her coat. Feeling someone’s gaze, she switched her shoes and handed her coat to the maid. As she turned to go upstairs, her eyes landed on the man on the couch, widening in surprise. Fred, catching her look, became curious. He was amazed by the swift change of emotions on her face.

With her food container gripped firmly, Mya made her way upstairs.

Fred smirked, thinking, ‘She’s intriguing. Reminds me of the pet I kept in prison.’

Mya hurried to the master bedroom on the third floor. Inside, Madelyn sat on the floor, watching Dalton play with his toys. Noticing Mya’s distressed look, sweating profusely, Madelyn asked, “What’s wrong?”

Catching her breath, Mya replied, “You won’t believe who’s downstairs.”

Madelyn’s eyes narrowed, “Fred?”

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Madelyn figured that Mya would not be this scared by just bumping into Zach. So, it could only be Fred, who had just come to the house earlier.

Besides, Zach had promised Madelyn that he would not do anything to Mya.

Mya walked over and sat cross-legged on the floor with Madelyn before saying with a serious expression, “Fred? Fred Turner? The person who’s in charge of the largest prison in Ventropolis?”

Madelyn replied hesitantly, “I guess so.”

Mya took a deep breath and held her face in panic, “Oh no… I’m going to die! Boo-hoo… If I knew it was him, I wouldn’t have gotten into his car even if Serena beat me to death.”

“You and Fred?” Madelyn could not imagine what connection Mya would have with Fred.

Mya could not stop rubbing her face, wearing a comical expression of despair.

Then, she grabbed Madelyn’s hand and cried, “I’ll tell you the whole story. I went shopping the other day and bumped into Serena pretending to be you. I scolded her, and she called other people to beat me up. So, I ran and got into the wrong car. In the car, I saw him doing the deed with Cecilia inside!”

Madelyn squinted, “The deed?”

Mya did not want to say that word because Dalton was beside them. So, she whispered in Madelyn’s ear.

Madelyn immediately blushed upon hearing that. She was in disbelief and had never expected Cecilia to get it on with another man.

‘Isn’t Zach the only person she loves? Isn’t she scared that Zach would find out about it and that there’d be no turning back for her?’

Madelyn felt overwhelmed by what Mya had just revealed.

She could never imagine Cecilia and Fred having that kind of relationship with each other.

Mya continued, “His eyes were terrifying when he looked at me downstairs! Madelyn, is he going to come after me? What should I do now? I have no breasts and just a lump of fat on my stomach. He probably wouldn’t be interested in me, right?

“Boo-hoo, Madelyn, say something to make me feel better, or I won’t be able to sleep tonight.”

Madelyn thought about what Zach had told her and sald, “Mya, Fred isn’t a good man. Remember to stay away from him if you ever see him again.”

Mya nodded, “If anything ever happens to me, please tell Zach to save me. Madelyn, my life is so miserable. Why did I even get into his car in the first place?”

“Okay, don’t think too much about it. You’ll be fine.” Madelyn said as she opened the lunchbox Mya brought. “Let me try the pastries you made.”

Dalton looked at the delicate pastries and reached out to grab one. Madelyn wanted to stop him, but she was too slow. In a flash, Dalton grabbed one of the pastries inside, squashed it, and made a mess all over his hand.

Madelyn went to grab a tissue. But by the time she turned back, Dalton was already smearing the pastry all over himself. He had a joyous smile on his face that revealed all his baby teeth. Madelyn sighed, “Look at you, what a troublemaker. Is there any other baby that drools as much as you do?”

Dalton shouted excitedly and bit Madelyn on her chest, leaving a large area soaked in saliva.

“Madelyn, does he have a name now?”

Madelyn held him in her lap and wiped his hand, “Zach named him Dalton Jardin.”

Mya got a little envious and asked, “Is he good to you now? Does he still mistreat you?”

Madelyn paused momentarily before responding calmly, “He’s all right.”

“Madelyn, did you know that I thought Dalton was your biological child at first? He didn’t look very happy when we first met, but his eyes looked just like yours. I’m not even kidding!”

Madelyn had noticed that, too, but she did not want to admit it. Even if it was true, it was merely a coincidence because only she knew that she would never be able to have a child in this lifetime.

So, she cherished every moment she had with Dalton.

“Oh, by the way, I forgot to tell you something. Serena was imprisoned for stealing your paintings. Her father was also jailed for corruption.

“I just can’t understand why she hates you so much.”