Chapter 147
“All right, I get it.” Madeline looked Gavin squarely in the eye, her expression serious, as she reached up and patted his forehead. “You’re a great partner.”
“Of course!” Gavin chuckled. “But it’s not just me; your eleven brothers won’t treat someone well because they all resemble you. After all…” He gestured toward the table in front of him. “We don’t just treat you this way because of how you look. We’ve shared so much, all the joys and sorrows of the past. You’re irreplaceable.”
His voice softened as he continued, “Looks can be copied, but memories?”
“Not a chance.” Madeline’s curiosity piqued. “But what if someone, who looks like me, wants you to take care of them just because of that resemblance?”
Gavin didn’t hesitate. “Then they’ll die miserably. His tone was firm, with no room for argument. “Anyway, I’d skin them alive. They’ll have to pay the price for imitating you.”
Madeline shivered at the imagery, instinctively rubbing her arms. “That’s a bit gruesome. Please don’t do that.”
Gavin let out a snort. The conversation drifted as another thought crossed his mind. “By the way, if you’re joining the film crew, don’t you need someone from the staff to manage things for you? I can ask Caleb to arrange for a company to support you in your future shoots.”
Madeline mulled it over, shaking her head slightly. “I don’t think I want to sign with a company. Sure, it’s convenient, but I feel like it would bring more trouble than it’s worth. You know, less freedom if you’re tied to someone else.”
Gavin squeezed her hand reassuringly. “That’s not what I meant. You’d be the only artist in the company. The whole staff would be at your beck and call.”
“Isn’t that just a studio then?” Madeline blinked.
Gavin furrowed his brows, clearly unfamiliar with the concept, but he was determined to figure it out. And true to his straight–A student persona, Gavin wasn’t one to let things slip. Within just three days, he had handled everything.
While Madeline was in class, Gavin sent her a photo of the business registration. The company was named Illuminade. Even the signage at the company gate had been installed, complete with bold, colorful letters.
Madeline’s mouth twitched. “Illuminade?” She rubbed her temples in disbelief, thinking, ‘Is this name for real? I’m not a kid anymore. This feels too
childish!‘
She hastily asked Gavin if there was a chance to change it. Unfortunately, the name had already been unanimously approved by her twelve
brothers.
Gavin had financed the entire thing, with Caleb as the legal representative, setting up the team. Nolan took charge of securing the location, even hiring a professional crew to design the workspace that was set up on the seventh floor of the Glorious Group’s building.
During the weekend, Madeline was summoned to a restaurant as soon as she stepped out of class. Rushing, she popped in her headphones, listening to the original text of Uprian while she prepared for her upcoming Level 4 Uprian exam in December. She barely had time to take a breath before heading into the restaurant.
“Excuse me, where’s Room 888?” Madeline asked the receptionist upon entering.
“Right this way, Ms. Larson.” The receptionist gave her a polite smile, guiding her upstairs.
The place was usually buzzing with diners, but today it was eerily quiet. Madeline glanced around in confusion. “Is it not mealtime yet?”
The receptionist shook her head, smiling. “No, the entire place has been reserved. We’re only serving you today. Besides, Mr. Simmons came here in person. We’ll certainly clear the area for him.”
When Madeline arrived at the door of the private room, she noticed flower bouquets placed on either side. She pushed open the door and found Caleb, Nolan, Gavin, Yohannes, and Wesley seated around a large round table. Madeline walked over. There was a big red flower on the empty seat. A big red flower marked the empty seat reserved for her.
“Um… what’s going on?” Madeline asked, thoroughly confused.
Gavin smiled and said, “We’re celebrating the grand opening of your studio. I figured we could all just have a meal together since you’ve been too busy to go see the place yourself.” He pulled a box from under the table and slid it toward her.
Madeline opened the box, revealing neat stacks of green banknotes, more than she could count. Gavin said, laughing. “It’s a gift, but don’t g thinking it’s too little.”
go
Madeline was surprised. “Gavin, you didn’t have to spend so much!”
1/2
13:45 PM
Chapter 147
+5
Caleb handed her a gift next. “Thanks, Caleb! You really didn’t have to,” Madeline said as she unwrapped it. Inside was a hefty, limited–edition gold bar. “You’re too generous!” she exclaimed, beaming.
Nolan then passed her an envelope. “Here you go, Maddie.”
Inside, Madeline found a check for 39,999 dollars. “Thanks, Nolan,” she said, smiling brightly. “Here’s wishing you lots of success too!”
Gavin, meanwhile, rolled his eyes and muttered, “Nolan, I told you not to go over 40,000 dollars. Are you trying to play the system?”
Nolan simply sipped his coffee with a sly smile. “It’s within the limits,” he said calmly.
Wesley followed with his own gift–a stack of banknotes and a string of gold beads. Finally, it was Yohannes‘ turn. Gavin was not his biggest fan, and Yohannes was well aware that the former would be his biggest obstacle.
Nevertheless, he lowered his gaze, presenting Madeline with a lockbox. “Here’s my gift to you. You know the password,” Yohannes said with a smirk.
Gavin was rendered speechless by his theatrical display. ‘It’s just a 40,000–dollar gift. Is a lockbox really necessary? That pink–haired guy sure is sly,‘ he thought.
“I know the password?” Madeline raised an eyebrow. She tentatively entered the date of their first meeting, and with a click, the suitcase popped open. “That was the password? What an easy guess,” she remarked.
The look on Gavin’s face had darkened considerably. The way Yohannes smiled only made Gavin clench his fists harder. He tried to steady himself, thinking, ‘How are they so in sync? It’s fine, Sunny Boy. Who cares if he managed to one–up you once?‘
Yohannes, still smiling calmly, said in a gentle tone, “Go ahead and open it.”
Madeline had already guessed what was inside–money. But when she finally opened the lockbox, she was stunned into silence.
Wesley couldn’t help bursting into laughter. “How clever. No one specified what kind of currency the monetary gift had to be. 40,000 dollars in Atharian currency. It seems that you won today, Yohannes.”
Gavin forced a sigh. “Looks like money doesn’t grow on trees for you, since that bit of money was precious enough for you to put them in a lockbox.”
He gave Yohannes a cold smile, his expression sharp and mocking. “I bet you didn’t know I’ve already spent tens of millions on Maddie.”
“Oh? It’s just a number, Gavin. Madeline took care of me, and no amount of money could replace that. Were you working hard while I was warmed by her every night?” Yohannes shot back.
Those words struck a raw nerve. Gavin’s face tightened as he gritted his teeth, thinking, ‘I want to beat him up so fucking bad!‘
