bChapter /bb464 /b

    Madeline watched Brian carefully selecting clothes for Jessica, her fingernails digging deep into her palms. Even during the time when she was closest to winning Brian’s heart, he had never paid attention to what she wore.

    Madeline had always assumed Brian put all his energy into work, but apparently, that wasn’t the case. He just didn’t care about her because he didn’t love her.

    “No, how can he not love me!‘ Madeline thought furiously. ‘Brian has to love me. This is all Jessica’s fault!‘

    Madeline kept telling herself that once Jessica was out of the picture, Brian would finally see how perfect she was for him. Then, everything Jessica was enjoying right now would belong to her instead.

    Madeline stared at Jessica with pure hatred in her eyes. ‘For the sake of my love, Jessica, you’re going to have to die.’

    Inside the store, Jessica suddenly shivered as she headed toward the fitting room. An inexplicable chill had just crawled up her spine.

    Jessica instinctively nced outside but didn’t see anything. ‘Am I imagining things?‘ She thought. She could have sworn someone had been watching her just now.

    “Are you cold?” Brian noticed her movement and immediately showed concern.

    “Sir, our store maintains a constant temperature,” the sales assistant quickly exined.

    Brian wasn’t listening to a word she said. He started taking off his suit jacket to drape it over Jessica’s shoulders while turning back to the sales assistant. “We’ll take all of these outfits. Just wrap them up.”

    The sales assistant’s smile practically lit up the room when she heard this. “Of course, sir. We also have hot drinks avable. Would you like me to bring your wife something? We have milk, juice, and coffee.”

    “No thanks, I’m not cold,” Jessica politely declined, pushing away the jacket Brian was offering her. “I’m getting a little tired. Let’s call it a day.”

    The moment Brian heard she was tired, he stopped arguingpletely. He quickly paid and wanted to take her hand as they headed downstairs.

    “That’s not necessary,” Jessica refused directly. She definitely didn’t want to end up in the tabloids again.

    Brian looked disappointed but settled for walking carefully beside her to make sure she was safe.

    Jake, using his advantage of being small and adorable, sessfully managed to grab Jessica’s hand. “Mom, you worked so hard today. Let me hold your hand and walk with you,” he said sweetly.

    Jessica nced down at him without saying anything, but she didn’t pull her hand away either.

    Jake was perfectly satisfied with this arrangement.

    Madeline followed the three of them from a distance, her jealousy so intense that she’d broken two fingernails. She wasn’t going to give up that easily.

    But Brian was spending way too much time with Jessica now. There was no way Madeline could repeat her previous tactics of leaving threatening items at Jessica’s door.

    13:13 Sun, 24 Aug

    36

    Madeline needed toe up with a new n to deal with Jessica–ideally something that would get rid of the children in one shot. Even better if she could take out both Jesa and Jake.

    Unfortunately, before Madeline could finalize any ns, another debt collector called.

    Madeline was beyond annoyed but had no choice but to answer. She went through her usual routine of crying poverty, ying the victim, and trying to pull at their heartstrings to buy more time.

    None of it worked very well, and she ended up having to pay a partial amount just to get them off her back.

    After the payment went through, Madeline looked at her dwindling bank bnce and felt even more desperate to get rid of Jessica.

    Once Jessica got in the car, that creepy feeling of being watched finally disappeared. She nced back but didn’t spot Madeline. anywhere, though she was pretty sure the woman was lurking somewhere nearby, watching her. Nobody else had that kind of

    hatred for her.

    ‘Does Brian know his most trusted secretary is actually an obsessive stalker?‘ Jessica wondered.

    “Why do you keep staring at me?” Brian asked. Her constant gaze was making him ufortable.

    Jessica knew that he had no idea, and Madeline would never dare let him find out. She kept these thoughts to herself, her expression giving nothing away.

    “It’s nothing,” Jessica replied.

    AD