harp bite of annoyance, a sharp con

r a fleeting moment before she released them

open in alarm at Madison's entrance, and with a sharp intake of breath, she staggered backw

nstead, he secured her by t

ling closer to him, her voi

brace drove a dagger of pa

present the USB drive in h

y harbored any sincere feelings for her,

y: there was neither tru

busy!" Colten snapped, his brows knitting together as his

laugh, empty and de

busy-deeply engrossed

f, she drew in a deep breath and

n a suffocating silence, t

nbelievable, Madison. Are you seriously doing this now, right before tonight's family din

able; he couldn't fath

ld match his confidence in Mad

either the ambitions of the Dixon family or h

e sweet and adorable girl had beco

nterjected, "Colten, is this the same contract you discarded in the trash earlier? When you mentioned it, I was intrigue

on Madison, her features softening. "I'm so sorry, Madis

and Alfred were as close as brothers, their fort

le the Pearsons' star ascended brilliantly. Now, the Dixons clung to the engag

d at Madison, a slight, dismissive

ll have a word with my brother about the contract and make sure he stops bothering you. When

und composed. If they were parting way

pensive pen in his grip punctured the contract forcefully, causing

is gaze, "I'll have a new contract drafted. At the banquet this evening, I

l ache of disillus

cure Pearson Group, just as he believed she depended on h

s a strategic arrangement, d

efiantly, she coun

llowed her as she turned and str

though Lana could barely contain her joy

ison wouldn't have had such an

fire; his tone was biting and icy, his gaze lock

m eager to see what

..

up, Madison basked in the warm sunlight, her

n arranged for her had steered her life, bin

ully uncovered his likes and dislikes, molding h

she gave up her cherished motorcycle, repressed her spirited nature, and wo

use of a man from their affluent cir

quette, perfected her speech, and lear

l, one she named Colten, slowly forgetting

e motorcycle shop, blending seamlessly wit

nstead spent on a strikingly vibrant, scarlet-red red

ushing past the bustling crowd, she set her sig

essence. Reaching the summit, she hoisted her helmet skyward, unleashing a vict

ce tinged with familiarity remarked, catching her off

er waist, his breath a warm whisp

face clouding with a mix of refl

Pea

ore retreating smoothly back into his pocket, h

air, yet today, after her trip to Pearson Group,