Chapter 1018

“You don’t need to thank me. It’s a pleasure to be the person you want to rely on.”

His gaze reminded her of the night, gentle and deep.

“I want to be the first person you think of when you find yourself in danger and in need of help.”

“…”

Madeline had no idea how to reply, but the look in his eyes was sincere.

It was evident that his feelings for her were no longer as simple as him ‘fancying’ her.

Still, Madeline did not find Ryan suitable for herself. She had three kids, was married twice, and got divorced twice.

As if sensing the awkwardness Madeline felt, Ryan smiled and changed the subject.

“Let’s go eat dinner. I’ve booked a place.”

Madeline nodded, internally thanking Ryan for realizing and changing the subject.

On the other end, Lana threw her phone with the newly acquired picture at Naomi.

A magnified image of Ryan holding a frightened Madeline just moments ago appeared before Naomi’s eyes.

She remembered how much she wanted to kill this idiot when Jeremy had almost burned her alive, but that did not mean she would not milk this idiot of its full purpose now.

Lighting a cigarette, Lana took a drag and puffed out a breath of smoke before she began to taunt.

“Do you see this? Ryan has been with Eveline since a long time ago. He has never liked you to begin with. I had someone look into it and I found out that Ryan has always loved Eveline from the start. It was love at first sight before he even got into university.”

“What? Really?” Naomi was infuriated.

Lana rolled her eyes as if to say ‘of course’. “Or did you think that Ryan wasn’t a man? You’re a pretty woman, I’ll give you that, but did he even kiss you once over the two years you two dated?”

“…”

“It’s not that he couldn’t. He just wasn’t interested in you.”

“…”

“The woman he’s interested in has been Eveline all along. He picks her up every day after work.

They’ve been secretly together for a while now.”

“That btch!” Naomi hit the desk with her fist furiously. “I knew Eveline was trying to seduce Rye! I would’ve been Mrs. Jones long ago had it not been for that btch! I’ll never let her get away with this!”

Watching Naomi react, Lana quirked her red lips in silent satisfaction.

…

After Madeline’s hardworking preparations, it was finally the day of the annual charity gala.

Celebrities from Glendale and everywhere else were in attendance, along with a few top businessmen and wealthy, famous philanthropists.

Some of them were Eloise and Sean’s friends. They came to ask Madeline how she was coping as well to give her encouragement and support.

After thanking each of them, Madeline then went backstage to get rid of some of her stress in the lounge.

There was a heavy weight on her shoulders.

This was a charity event Sean and Eloise created with their own bare hands. She was afraid that she would mess up and throw everything they had worked for down the drain.

She pulled out a picture of her parents and stared at it.

“Mom, Dad, I’ll definitely make you proud.”

“Are you alright, Eveline?” Ryan came over to check up on her.

Wiping the tears off the corner of her eyes, Madeline turned to the suited man and smiled, replying frankly, “I just miss my parents. I’m scared that I won’t be able to do it as well as them. I don’t want to throw their hard work away.”

Ryan gave a small smile. “You’re doing great. The atmosphere outside is pretty good. I’m sure you’ll do just fine.”

Madeline nodded and exited the lounge with him. “Thank you for staying by my side through all of this.

You even helped me deal with things I had no idea how to. I don’t even know how I’m supposed to thank you at all.”

“Do you really want to thank me?” Ryan asked meaningfully.

Startled, Madeline nodded. “Yeah, I do.”

Ryan then stared sincerely at her with his starry gray eyes while reaching an arm out to her. “Very well then. Now, if you will?”