Chapter 163

"Your skin is flawless. What's your secret?" Liu Yecheng, growing bolder, reached out to play with Madeleine's hair. Madeleine froze, her heart pounding rapidly. Once again, she felt breathless. She felt sick. Yet, she... had to hold it in. In order to deal with Liu Yecheng for Beckett, she must... let him get carried away. "My skincare products... are also quite expensive," Madeleine stuttered, trying hard to compose herself. Liu Yecheng laughed cheerfully as he drew closer to Madeleine, interpreting her words as a hint. "Assistant Su, I heard that many young masters in Pinebrook know you. It seems your capabilities are indeed impressive." Liu Yecheng hinted with an ulterior motive. "Why don't we have a meal together on your day off?" Madeleine gave a small nod. "Sure..." Knocking sounds were heard from outside. "Tap, tap, tap!" The interruption visibly annoyed Liu Yecheng, an obvious ire at someone disturbing his time. Madeleine was an attractive woman, her figure outstanding, and her skin was fair. To men like Liu Yecheng, who drew many flowers to his garden, Madeleine was a rare catch. If Beckett's assistant was genuinely willing to cozy up to him, it would certainly imply Beckett's strong desire to win his favor. "Mr. Liu, Mr. Beach has asked me to inquire about your requirements for the position of Deputy General Manager. Feel free to express any demands, he will try his best to meet them. He only hopes that you..." Madeleine seized the opportunity to distance herself from Liu Yecheng, dropping her words heavily at the end. Liu Yecheng nodded with a smile, naturally understanding Madeleine's intentions. Beckett is showing full sincerity. "Gosh, I've been a long-time employee of this company too. I'm not greedy, it's just that, I'm reluctant to let go of the brothers and sisters in the investment department. After all, they've been with me for over a decade. If Mr. Beach can merge the investment department with the project department and have me manage them together..." Madeleine pretended to be surprised when looking at Liu Yecheng, "President Liu! The investment department has always been an independent entity. To merge it with the project department..." This old fox Liu Yecheng, he was truly quite greedy. However, everything was within Madeleine’s plan. He was getting conceited, daring to make such demands now. Which meant, it was not far from his downfall. "Too challenging?" Liu Yecheng looked at Madeleine, trying to gauge her reaction. "Not really..." Madeleine smiled lightly, "President Liu, I'll talk to Mr. Beach about this properly. If it works out, on your end..." Liu Yecheng instantly understood, "Don't worry, once it's done, I'll cover the cost of your cosmetics and skin care for a year." Liu Yecheng smiled knowingly, lifting his hand to lightly touch Madeleine's chin. He was becoming increasingly bold. Madeleine stepped back, smiled, opened the door and almost fled from Liu Yecheng's office. That feeling... nearly suffocated her. She rushed to the bathroom. Madeleine could only feel her stomach violently churning, hunched over the toilet bowl as she vomitted. Her eyes reddened intensely, Madeleine's hands were tightly held together. She couldn't concede. She must assist Beckett... She needs to act quickly. When Ruby comes out, she will ruin her trump card and present her a big surprise. After vomiting for quite some time, Madeleine sat on the toilet weakly, taking a long time to rest. Her depression and anxiety had noticeably improved after encountering Beckett, but it still wasn't enough... Any stimulus could still leave her entire body numb and rigid, her limbs seemingly stone-like, the symptoms of Catatonia were noticeably present. The disgusting face of Liu Yecheng and his demeanour as he approached her lingered incessantly in her mind. "Madeleine?" Outside, Carl was looking for her. Madeleine shakily got up, hurriedly washing her hands before glancing at her ashen reflection in the mirror — she took a deep breath. "Madeleine, Mr Zhan is looking for you." Carl was helpless, as he truly had become Madeleine's errand boy. With only ten minutes past since Madeleine left, Beckett had already sent him to look for her. "This is an office, a person can't just vanish into thin air, right?" "Okay…okay," Madeleine nodded. Noticing Madeleine's pale complexion, Carl leaned closer. "Are you…" "Don't touch me!" A fear-stricken Madeleine kept a distance from Carl, panting heavily. After calming down, Madeleine stood still, staring blankly. "I'm sorry...I'm sorry, I was lost in thought." Carl was taken aback by Madeleine's sudden movements, her eyes showing nothing but terror. "It's okay..." Madeleine looked down sheepishly, her eyes brimming with tears. "Mr. Beach is waiting for you. Are you okay?" Carl noticed that something was off. He pulled out a few pieces of Big White Rabbit creamy candy from his pocket and handed them to Madeleine. "You don't look so well." "I'm fine... I probably just didn't get enough sleep last night." Madeleine quietly explained. "Madeleine." Clinton was at the end of the corridor, waiting for her. "Come here." Startled, Madeleine instinctively hid behind Carl. Frowning, Carl stepped in front of Madeleine. "Apologies, young master, but it's work hours and Mr. Beach is looking for Madeleine." "Carl, aren't you a little too nervous?" Clinton sneered. "I'm just here for a routine handover, it's work hours." Carl didn't respond. "Madeleine, there is a document on my desk. Could you fetch it for Mr. Beach for me?" Clinton instructed Madeleine to collect it. "I'll go," intervened Carl, grinning as he signaled Madeleine to return to Mr. Beach’s office while he left to fetch the document. Clinton sneered coldly as Carl left the room. Lowering his voice, he interrogated Madeleine, "Your mother will be released from prison soon. A swindler, the daughter of a trafficker, this kind of scandal, how do you suppose Beckett could help you deflect?" Madeleine's pace halted abruptly as she nervously gasped for air, her back turned against Clinton. Seeing Madeleine frozen in her tracks, Clinton realized that he had touched a nerve. Slowly, Clinton approached Madeleine and roughly pulled the collar of her blouse, dragging her into a secluded hallway. "Let go of me!" Madeleine looked at Clinton in terror, opening her mouth to scream, only to be silenced by Clinton's hand over her mouth. "Madeleine," Clinton threatened in a harsh voice, his grip tightening around Madeleine's wrist, his anger apparent, "You dare to make a noise, believe it or not, tomorrow we will be the headline news." Madeleine looked at Clinton, her gaze trembling with fear. "Madeleine, I warned you before, dare to provoke my brother... and I will not let you off easily." Madeleine stared back at Clinton with disgust in her eyes, feeling repulsed. Clinton could not stand to look at her this way and his fury erupted, "Madeleine! I'm telling you, you're mine... even if I don't love you, you’re not permitted to love anyone else..." His voice carried a heavy threat, yet it also revealed his raw vulnerability. His selfishness did not tolerate the idea of Madeleine falling in love with someone else. Madeleine, she was his entire youth. She was his white rose, pure but stained by impurity. She was the perpetual thorn in his heart. "Can you hear me?" Clinton grabbed Madeleine's chin, attempting to force a kiss. "Argh!" Suddenly, a pain-induced yell escaped from Clinton. Madeleine had driven her knee hard into Clinton's lower abdomen and picked up a nearby broomstick, striking it hard on Clinton's head. The blow cracked Clinton's forehead, causing blood to gush out. Terrified, Madeleine began to cry, trembling in the corner as she discarded the broomstick, desperate to escape. But Clinton reached out, grabbing her collar. It was that feeling again. The feeling of just about to grasp hope, only to be harshly pulled back into the abyss of hell. Just like six years ago. She was almost at the room's doorway, just about to open the door and escape, but that man pushed her into the corner and pulled her back. "Bang!" The door of the safety passage was kicked open —just as Madeleine thought she was being dragged into the abyss by Clinton, the light from outside slipped in. A strong arm seized her wrist, pulling her into his arms. In that instant, Madeleine felt…as if someone had pulled her out of the water, and into the sunlight.