Chapter 490

“Thanks,” Madelyn replied.

Kennedy interjected, “These notes won’t really help you. Like Mr. Newton says, practice more, and if you don’t get it, just ask.”

“Okay.”

The bell for the next class rang.

But Madelyn had her own secret plans. She believed there was more than one way to reach her goal.

What she was doing, she did for herself.

As soon as the first class ended, Madelyn sneaked away to the same spot she’d been visiting a lot lately. ‘I can make it happen in a month…

“Engaged? Wishful thinking,” Zach muttered as he ripped the newspaper in his hand, tearing the picture of Ethan and Madelyn right down the middle.

“Where’s Donna Jolie?” he asked.

Kevin replied, “She’s doing what you told her. We should catch the news this afternoon. But Donna shelled out a lot to hire a hacker to trace our last phone call. She wants to figure out who’s pulling the strings behind the scenes.”

Zach removed his gold–rimmed glasses, leaned back, and crossed his left leg over the right one. “Let her play detective if she wants.”

3 He had always been good at planning and reading people. Some folks, unless nudged a bit, would never spill their secrets. He thought, ‘It’s also a chance to teach Madelyn, who’s grown up sheltered, that the real world isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. If she wants to venture out, I’ll allow it, but only in my circle of influence.‘

He mused, ‘Leaving this house by finding someone to lean on? Well, it isn’t as easy as she thinks.

Some lessons need to be learned the hard way.‘

With this in mind, Zach inquired, “How’s that investigation into Donna’s overseas activities I assigned you a while back?”

Kevin nodded, looking more serious. “We got a lead. Our local underworld contacts came through.

Donna took this pic in a studio six months ago, and… she had company.”

Zach picked up a photo, his eyes momentarily clouding, then a smirk danced on his lips. “Looks like Madelyn will be heading home soon.”

Kevin asked, “Should we release these photos now?”

Zach tilted his head, tapping his temple lazily. “Not yet. It’s too soon.” Then he directed Kevin, “Go change the locks at the Jent residence again and tidy up all the rooms. Make sure everything’s just as it was.”

He thought, ‘Family should always stick together, right, my little princess?‘

Suddenly, Madelyn felt a sharp, needle–like pain in her chest, along with a sense of panic. Her grip on the paintbrush slipped, and it clattered to the floor.

She clutched her chest, growing increasingly anxious, struggling to breathe. ‘What’s going on?‘

Breaking news: [Ethan Arnold’s previous mysterious absence from the public eye was no vacation, but the result of a car crash. Our investigation delves into the crash’s cause and interviews key witnesses.]

“Hi, I’m Donna Jolie…”