Chapter 153

"I know you're capable of that." Alex sneered at Clinton. "Five years ago, you were able to put her in jail, what else can't you do?" Alex gazed coldly at Clinton, drained the wine in his glass, and got up to leave. In the room, Clinton remained silent for a long time, then suddenly kicked all the wine bottles on the table to the ground, smashing everything in a frenzy. Five years ago, it was always mentioned. That trial has always been Clinton's nightmare. During these five years, while Madeleine was in prison, he often dreamt of her. He dreamt of the look in her eyes during the trial, desperate and lifeless. She just looked at him and said, "I plead guilty." He uncontrollably shouted to withdraw the case, he said he won't accuse her anymore, he will not accuse Madeleine anymore. He said he willingly gave that money. But the judge had already given the verdict, he could only watch helplessly as she was taken away by the police. "Clinton, will you be happy if you ruin me?" "If it can make you happy, then I plead guilty." "Madeleine, this is the sin you're supposed to atone for." "Clinton, I am innocent." ... Once, Clinton was Madeleine's salvation. But later on, Clinton became Madeleine's hell. ... Beckett's residence. Wrapped in a bath towel, Madeleine shivered timidly at the bathroom door, looking around restlessly. She stood on the doormat, barefoot, nervously bowing her head. Suddenly living in Beckett's room, she was so nervous that she forgot to take a change of clothes into the bathroom. Stumbling, her left foot stepping upon the right, Madeleine fretted for a long while, not daring to disturb Beckett. Beckett, donning a bathroom robe, stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, calling Carl. From the reflection on the glass, Beckett could see Madeleine's uneasiness. His breath hitched, and Beckett only felt a dry itch in his throat, his body somewhat feverish. "Mr. Beach, I will head back to the company first tomorrow? Don’t worry about the voting matter, I will take care of it." "Mr. Beach?" On the other end of the phone, Carl called out several times, but Beckett did not respond. "Mr. Beach?" Snapping back to reality, Beckett frowned. "I'm going to sleep. If there's nothing urgent, don't call me at night." Carl, who had just been scolded, looked bewildered. "Mr. Beach, wasn't it... you who called me?" "..." Beckett ignored Carl and hung up the phone directly. At the distant Sanya airport, Carl looked blankly at his disconnected phone. Recently, their Mr. Beach behaved strangely. He seemed to be moody. Despite this, Carl was in high spirits because... this kind of Beckett appeared more like a living person. ... "Mr. Beach... I," Seeing Beckett turn to look at her, Madeleine wished she could find a crevice in the ground to crawl into. She was extremely nervous, her fair skin flushed, like an extremely seductive blooming flower. "Hmm?" Beckett's voice was very husky, intensely magnetic. Dressed in a black and gray robe, his chest muscles were clearly defined, with lines subtly visible... He was already handsome, and the light further embellished his face, making him look utterly enchanting. Madeleine didn't dare to look at Beckett, feeling as if her heart might fail. She knew her worth and she also understood what her obligations should be as a contractual 'wife'. "I, I..." Madeleine stuttered, unsure of how to proceed. "Have you taken your medicine?" Beckett walked over, raising his hand to touch Madeleine's forehead. His voice was low and steady, betraying no emotion. Yet, his voice was so pleasant it made one's head spin. "Mmm…" Madeleine nodded. Seeing that Madeleine's fever had subsided, Beckett sighed in relief. "I... I can..." Madeleine begun hesitantly, stuttering as she attempted to untie her bath towel, ready to fulfill her duty. Beckett only felt his breath grow hotter, his voice husky and low as he said," I won't touch you tonight, get some rest." Madeleine lowered her head, feeling her ears turn even redder. She always overthinks. Beckett hadn't drunk a drop of alcohol today. He was in a sober state. Could it be...he despises her now? "I...I, I washed meticulously," Madeleine's voice choked. Her head was bowed so low, as if wanting to bury it within her chest. Beckett inhaled sharply, feeling as if he would lose control if this continued... With one hand, he lifted Madeleine, uttering reluctantly, "I'm not so despicable as to take advantage of you when you're still ill." Madeleine was so scared that she quickly hugged Beckett's neck as he carried her into the bathroom. "Dry your hair before you sleep." Beckett took the hairdryer and helped Madeleine dry her hair. Scared and shaky, Madeleine was held in Beckett's chest. That feeling... was enough to make her succumb. It was so reassuring. Indeed... Beckett was a very dangerous man. Her mind went blank. Looking at the scene in the mirror, Madeleine felt everything was so unreal. Beckett, actually drying her hair in person... Why... was he so good to her? ... The bathroom light wasn't very bright, but Beckett's reflection in the mirror was dazzling. Many years ago, when Madeleine was Clinton's girlfriend, she heard Clinton complain that a talent scout pursued Beckett to his home, insisting that he become a movie star, but they were driven away by the steward. Did the young master of the Beach family need to be a movie star? Pictures of Beckett were also posted online by scouts. At that time, the image of the rich young son who was on fire across the entire internet was modeled after Beckett. Beckett also had a business mind. After he took over the company, he quickly established Starhua Entertainment, an independent film and television company outside the Beach Group, with countless artists under its banner, including movie kings and queens. Today's popular actors and actresses are almost all artists from Starhua Entertainment. There were also many times when rumors spread about female stars attempting to cling to Beckett, female models deliberately flirting with Beckett and other entertainment topics. The talk around Beckett is hotter than that of many top stars in the entertainment circle. Madeleine, thought of herself as being self-aware and knew that such a man wouldn't be serious. Perhaps he was just acting on a whim. But to be his whim was definitely a stroke of good luck that many people could only wish for. Moreover, it was common knowledge that Beckett was generous to those he took a liking to. Today's popular young actress, and top-tier celebrity, Fu Peipei, was promoted to stardom by Beckett's lavish support. Once, everyone was speculating and saying that Fu Peipei was Beckett's woman, and even that she was the only woman Beckett had ever sponsored. Neither Fu Peipei nor Beckett had ever denied the rumors, and Fu Peipei, riding on these hot topics and her relationship with Beckett, was treated like a princess in the entertainment industry. This was a height that Yesenia, who was with Alex for three years, could never reach. Because Beckett was truly willing to spend money to support Fu Peipei, while Alex was just casually maintaining a woman. "Mr. Beach, have you ever dried other women's hair as well?" Possibly due to the sound of the hairdryer, Madeleine knew Beckett couldn't hear her. When Beckett turned off the dryer, he said, "Hmm?" "No... Nothing." Madeleine's face turned red, and in her panic, she turned to run away. But the bath towel... fell. She didn't bring any change of clothes. Her heart was racing in panic, Madeleine was on the verge of tears. She hastily picked up her bath towel and wrapped it around herself, "I'm sorry..." She didn't mean to. Seeing Madeleine intending to run off, Beckett reached out a hand, trapping her against the wall, his voice a husky, seductive whisper. "Beg me, and I'll let you go." Madeleine's grip on her towel was deathly tight as she dared not to look up. "Please...please." A laugh escaped from Beckett's mouth as he playfully messed her hair. "Go to sleep." Madeleine's heart thumped erratically. Her face flushed, she dove into the quilts, intending to bury herself alive. ... The Zhuang household. Charlotte was still at home, weeping uncontrollably, while Jenny's face was shrouded in repressed anger. "That bastard child of Madeleine's can't possibly be Alex's...can't possibly be..." Charlotte cried as she clung to her mother. "Mother, what if Alex doesn't believe me?" "Madeleine is very cunning, a classic vixen. The old master of the Simpson family despises deception above all else. If the illegitimate child truly isn't Alex's... We won't need to lift a finger, Mr. Simpson will take care of Madeleine for us." The Zhuang matriarch, Zhuangmu, spoke with a stern voice. "Mother...let's secretly conduct a paternity test. I'll find a way to get Alex's hair," Charlotte whispered softly. Jenny glanced at Charlotte. "I can help you get Chris’s hair."