Night Carved Paths Into Silence by Zyrel Ash ` 286
Chapter 286
“Mr. Livingston, there’s one more thing. About the Carroll
Group… ever since they bought that south–side land plot for five
billion–way over budget–their cash flow seems to be extremely
tight. I’ve heard whispers that their project isn’t progressing
smoothly, and they’re running into problems with financing. It
sounds like… they’re in over their heads.”
Roderick paused when he heard that.
Edward.
That name had once been like a thorn, constantly causing
unnecessary trouble and problems in his and Madeleine’s life.
But now that Gerry had mentioned it, Roderick realized
something.
He realized it had been a long time since he’d actively paid any
attention to the man’s activities, or even heard any news about
him.
The rival who could once so easily provoke his anger and keep
him on constant alert was now quietly fading away.
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Edward’s shadow seemed to be gradually fading from his and
his Maddie’s world.
Roderick’s finger tapped unconsciously on the smooth surface
of the desk, and the corner of his mouth curved into a faint,
almost invisible smile.
“Is that so.”
He said flatly, his voice betraying no emotion, as if he were just
hearing a piece of business news that didn’t concern him.
“You always have to bear the consequences of your own
reckless actions.”
He looked up at Gerry, his tone returning to its usual cool
decisiveness. “No need to pay it any special attention. Just
handle it as routine business intelligence. As long as he doesn’t
bother Maddie, I don’t care if the Carroll Group sinks or swims.”
“Understood.”
Gerry understood and nodded respectfully.
The door closed softly, and the office fell silent again.
Roderick’s gaze fell on the bustling city outside the window, his
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heart calm.
Just then, the screen of his personal phone on the desk lit up,
showing a new Facebook message.
Sender: [Maddie]
Roderick picked up his phone and unlocked the screen.
Maddie: [Hubby~ I’m at the dance studio!]
Maddie: [By the way… why did I wake up in the kids‘ room again
this morning?
I remember falling asleep in the master bedroom last night?]
Looking at the lively text and cute stickers on the screen,
Roderick could almost picture Madeleine, looking adorably
confused and blinking her eyes.
His stern lips curved up slightly, revealing a gentle smile he
rarely showed to others.
His long fingers tapped on the screen as he replied:
Roderick: [Yeah, I was worried our son would wake up and not
see you.]
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Roderick: [Didn’t want you to break your promise.]
It wasn’t long after he sent the messages that Madeleine’s reply
popped up, full of her usual playfulness:
Madeleine: [Oh~ so it was Mr. Livingston himself who
‘transported‘ me again!]
Madeleine: [You’re so cute, Ricki. What if, and I’m just saying
what if, we have a daughter in the future? What would you do
then?
You wouldn’t be jealous of a daughter, would you?]
Seeing the word “daughter,” the soft smile on Roderick’s face
instantly vanished, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly.
His eyes grew deep and serious, even revealing a hint of almost
sharp gravity.
He replied almost immediately, his tone firm and leaving no
room for doubt:
Roderick: [That will never happen.]
On the other end of the screen, Madeleine seemed taken aback
by the overly decisive and cold reply, sending a dazed question
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mark sticker.
Madeleine: [?
?]
Madeleine: [Why?
Don’t you like daughters?]
Roderick stared at the question, his eyes as deep as the night,
as if seeing some deeply buried images or worries through the
screen.
Roderick: [I don’t want you to be in pain. And don’t you want to
dance?
Be good. I’m going back to work.]
After the message sent, he placed his phone face down on the
desk and sank deep into the back of his chair.
Roderick raised a hand to pinch the bridge of his nose, his face
shrouded in an inescapable gloom and lingering fear.
The shadow of some things was far heavier than she imagined.
To him, her safety was more important than any possibility.
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Including a daughter as lovely as her, one they might have both
looked forward to.
–
Bradley slept very deeply. The accumulated fatigue and sudden
mental release plunged him into a dark, dreamless, deep sleep.
He was woken by the slanting afternoon sun outside the
window.
His eyelashes fluttered a few times, and he slowly opened his
eyes.
The moment consciousness returned, the first thing he felt was
a delicate, warm softness in his palm.
He froze for a moment, then turned his head.
What met his eyes was Charlotte’s peaceful, sleeping face.
She was slumped over the side of the bed, her cheek resting on
her arm, her long hair scattered messily, covering half her face,
her breathing light and even.
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