When Her "Death" Couldn't Break Him

Chapter 1775 Calvin And Madeline

"Why are you still here?" he asked.

Madeline immediately stood up. "Mr. Reese, I still have some unfinished work. Once I'm done, I'll head home."

Calvin chuckled. "Work never really ends, but your health should come first. Don't push yourself too hard."

Madeline's fingers tightened slightly before she ultimately shook her head. "I'm fine. I'm not tired."

Calvin wasn't usually one to interfere in others' personal matters. However, being Madeline's superior for so long, he considered her a friend.

He walked over and took a seat. "Did something happen at home?"

Recalling how Darren had taken Amelia away last time, he couldn't help but wonder if Darren had caused trouble again.

Madeline quickly shook her head. "No, everything at home has been settled."

As soon as she finished speaking, an idea struck her. "Oh, Mr. Reese. You helped me clean up such a big mess last time. I've been meaning to treat you to a meal as a thank you. Why put it off? How about today?"

Previously, when Darren had taken Amelia away, Madeline had been so distracted that she made several mistakes at work. If not for Calvin's help, she wouldn't have been able to handle it.

Calvin didn't decline. Instead, he gave a small nod. “Sure.”

Madeline tidied up her desk, grabbed her bag, and left the office with him.

Unbeknownst to her, a sleek Maybach was parked just outside the company entrance.

Inside the car, Darren sat in silence, watching her through the glass. He saw the way she walked beside Calvin, her expression relaxed, even laughing at something he said. With a sharp flick of his lighter, he lit one cigarette after another.

The smoke curled around him, but it did nothing to mask the bitterness in his eyes, which had turned slightly bloodshot.

He had intended to drive away, yet his hands remained clenched around the steering wheel, trembling slightly, making it impossible to start the car.

By the time Madeline and Calvin finished dinner, the night had deepened.

She returned to the Faust residence alone.

The mansion was still brightly lit.

Amelia had already gone to bed, leaving only Darren sitting alone in the living room. A steaming cup of coffee rested in his hand. When he saw her walk in, he didn't react-his expression remained unreadable, and he made no effort to acknowledge her presence.

Madeline broke the silence. "Why are you still awake at this hour?"

Darren set his cup down, his gaze never lifting to meet hers. "Aren't you still awake, too?"

"I was working overtime," she replied.

"You don't need to report your whereabouts to me,"" Darren said flatly.

You don't need to lie, either."

He didn't say the last part out loud.

Madeline was momentarily taken aback, but she didn't notice anything wrong with Darren. "I was just making casual conversation, not reporting my schedule to you. We may not be husband and wife anymore, but we're not strangers either, right?"

Their relationship, bound by Amelia, was complicated an intricate knot that

neither of them could untangle, no matter how much time passed.

Darren still didn't look up. Without a word, he stood and brushed past her.

"I'm going out for a drink," he muttered.

Before she could respond, the door slammed shut behind him.

Madeline stood frozen in place, bewildered. What's with him?

At the Royale Club, the concept of night didn't exist. The place was alive with

music, laughter, and a crowd as diverse as the drinks being served.

Darren and Zachary sat in a secluded corner, their glasses in hand as they silently observed the revelry around them.

"Darren, what's gotten into you? You never ask me out for a drink," Zachary remarked.

Ever since Darren and Nathaniel had

built their own families, they had

stopped frequenting this place. Zachary, on the other hand, still

came occasionally-usually with a

group of friends, never alone.

Darren took a slow sip before replying, "I'll have plenty of free time from now on. If

you ever need a drinking buddy, just call me."

Zachary narrowed his eyes. "What's going on with you?"

"Nothing," Darren said, forcing a smile that barely reached his eyes. "Just feeling happy."

Zachary didn't buy it, but he didn't push. Instead, he continued drinking.

As Zachary drank past his limit, he heard Darren slur. "Calvin's quite an exceptional man, isn't he?"noveldrama

Zachary, though reluctant to admit it, shrugged. "He's decent, I suppose. But his moral compass? Not so much. He has a habit of fancying other men's wives." fo