Chapter 545

Chapter 545:

Madisyn was speechless.

Howard asked Nalani to go back to her work and continued talking to Madisyn. “What’s this call about, Madisyn?”

“Are you and Nalani a couple now?” Madisyn asked bluntly.

After pausing momentarily, Howard answered, “We’re planning to be.”

Madisyn suddenly felt sad.

Milly had done so much for Howard without his knowledge. And now, Milly had to see him with someone else. She must be hurting so much.

“What’s wrong, Madisyn?” Howard asked, concerned. He always noticed the smallest shifts in her mood. Yet, he remained oblivious to Milly’s constant presence by his side. Madisyn felt a deep pain in her heart but kept it to herself. She didn’t want her brother caught up in trouble.

“It’s nothing, Howard. But have you really moved on from Milly?” Madisyn asked.

The smile on Howard’s face dimmed as he responded, “She’s gone, Madisyn. What is there to move on from? You know why she got close to me.”

To Howard, Milly was beyond forgiveness.

“Do you love Nalani?” Madisyn continued.

After a moment of contemplation, Howard said, “She’s a good match and has been kind. I think it’s worth a shot. I’m at an age where settling down and getting married would make our parents happy.”

“Nonsense. You’re still young, Howard. You should marry for love. Anything else will only worry our parents,” Madisyn said.

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“I have my reasons. Nalani is a good person,” Howard insisted. Unable to change his mind, Madisyn ended the call with a heavy sigh.

Howard put his phone away and looked out the window. The tree outside stood quiet in the night, enveloped in shadows. Nalani gazed at Howard with admiration and walked over to hold his arm. “Mr. Johns, it’s late. We should call it a day.”

Howard gently pulled his arm away and said, “Alright, let’s go.”

The night was far from ordinary.

Madisyn wasn’t the only one feeling uneasy.

Tatiana left the hospital and went straight to Hector’s place. Hector didn’t get off work until very late.

When she saw him, Tatiana greeted him, saying, “Darling…”

“Slap!”

Tatiana found herself on the floor, her hand on her cheek, looking up in disbelief. Hector’s face was expressionless, as if someone else had struck her.

She gazed at Hector, stunned. In her memories, Hector had always been kind and polite, never once losing his cool.

Was it really Hector who had just hit her?

“‘Darling?” Tatiana asked softly.

Hector extended his hand to help her up, softly touched her cheek, and said, “I’m sorry. Are you alright?” Tatiana smelled alcohol on his breath.

He was drunk…

That explained it. Some people just lose control when they drink…

Feeling aggrieved, Tatiana embraced him tightly. “You frightened me. Why have you been drinking? Is it because of the rumors online?”

“Yes, Tatiana,” Hector answered quietly, yet his voice was steady.

“It’s okay. You’re smart enough to handle this,” Tatiana reassured him, despite her own precarious situation. After all, she had declared that if Global Entertainment was behind Kathy’s ordeal, she would have to kneel and apologize.

“Will you help me?” Hector asked, his eyes locked on hers.

Tatiana replied, “Tell me, how can I be of assistance?”

As Hector laid out the details, worry deepened on Tatiana’s face. “But if I admit to that, won’t I be blamed? Will my film still be released?”

“As long as I’m here, you have nothing to worry about. If you don’t step up, everyone will blame Global Entertainment,” Hector said, his gaze never leaving Tatiana. “Tatiana, without Global Entertainment, you have no future.”

Tatiana was aware of this yet remained fearful.

“Consider it carefully, Tatiana. I’m at a pivotal moment in my career. If Global Entertainment falls, my plans will fall through,” Hector said as he stroked her cheek, his tone chilling like a devil’s whisper.

Tatiana remained still, the wind howling outside the window. The following day brought gloomy weather.

Madisyn awoke to the howling wind, a stark sign of winter’s onset with a sharp drop in temperature.

Just a few days prior, Andrew had given her a down jacket. Madisyn disliked bulky clothing, yet today, she had no choice but to wear it.

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