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