Chapter 107: Are You Mad at Me?

"I do. Mrs. Adams, you've got it wrong. I'm not interested in Ericko like that," Maggie quickly clarified, recalling Nathael's words from the previous night. She wondered why he hadn't pushed her harder; she would have said yes if he had. Deep down, however, she knew it would always be him. Despite her own doubts, Maggie couldn't imagine being with anyone else.

Hearing this, Fiona felt let down and immediately challenged Maggie, catching her off guard. "So, when are you going to break it off?" Phillip loudly cleared his throat. He couldn't bear to watch anymore and had to intervene.

Ericko, feeling a headache coming on, was shocked to learn Maggie had a boyfriend, especially since Nathael didn't seem like the type to charm someone like her. Fiona, however, seemed to hit it off with Maggie, engaging in deep conversation. Maggie, enjoying the atmosphere, stayed close to her mother, keeping her company and ensuring she was having a good time. Ericko watched with kind eyes.

Remembering Nathael's mention of Maggie's stomach troubles and skipped breakfast, he quickly arranged for a delivery. Initially feeling out of place, Maggie was persuaded by Fiona and Ericko to join them for the meal. Time flew by as they enjoyed their breakfast.

When Fiona seemed tired, Maggie decided it was time to leave. Grasping her hand, Fiona offered a heartfelt invitation: "Drop by my place sometime, or come see me at work. Our home may not be lavish, but our jewelry collection is extensive. Pick anything you like."

Maggie listened to Fiona's generous words, but her smile faltered. Her family had always been kind-hearted. Yet, in her previous life, her actions had caused them undeserved distress, preventing their happiness. Why did the Camerons seem to thrive? Nathael had avenged her, ensuring their downfall was even more tragic. Had he not been concerned for her, he would never have left her side until her final moments. Still, she puzzled over why Joseph, after enduring so much, had abruptly kidnapped her.

As Ericko accompanied her out of the hospital room, they walked through the hospital gardens.

[Continues]

Part 2

"Not yet, but it seems like it will happen soon," Maggie admitted, her eyes downcast.

Watching Maggie's reaction, Ericko gently ruffled her hair, offering a gentle warning: "Take your time with this; he might not appreciate you rushing." Ericko understood Nathael wasn't that type of person, but he couldn't ignore the fact that Maggie was his sister. Had Nathael's affections been elsewhere, his advice might have differed. However, his love for his sister warranted some consideration.

"He won't do that to me," Maggie quickly defended Nathael. She was certain of his regard for her, both in this life and the last.

Ericko smiled, keeping his thoughts to himself. "Alright, I'll take your word for it."

At his words, Maggie felt regret, recalling her past actions toward Joseph. She quietly confessed, "Truth is, my judgment has been terrible."

The conversation then turned to their professional lives.

"I just got a call from the Camerons asking me to come back. They're gearing up to debut their new jewelry line next month."

Maggie paused before adding, "They're really rushing the timeline, and Vanessa moving in with the Adams is a big reason why the jewelry company is getting off the ground so quickly." She knew, as before, Vanessa had found her way into the Adams' jewelry business. Even in a lesser role, Vanessa thrived under Mrs. Adams' protection; her compliant nature suited this environment.

"What do you plan to do?" Ericko asked softly, curious about her next move.

Maggie stopped walking, looking at him intently. "Have you heard of Shawn Lewis?"

Shawn, not born into privilege, had shady contacts and started as a nightclub enforcer. However, his bold actions, keen eye, and sharp intellect quickly propelled him. He eventually ventured into smuggling, finding success. Initially, his dealings were varied, but recently he focused on timber and jewelry, aligning him with the Adams' main business. Ericko, familiar with the industry, understood.

"You're planning to use him to ensnare the Camerons," he surmised.

Maggie smiled in acknowledgment. "Exactly. It seems you're quite informed, too." Shawn's rising profile and involvement in lucrative areas had drawn unwanted attention, threatening his operations. Maggie had Leo investigate, and the intel confirmed her memories from another life. Shawn was on the verge of being caught, his activities closely monitored, awaiting the opportune moment to strike.

[Continues]

Part 3

In her previous life, someone else had inadvertently trapped Shawn, but this time, the Camerons were unwittingly laying the groundwork—which suited Maggie perfectly.

"I'll handle the preparations," Ericko confirmed, showing he understood Maggie's strategy.

Talking with Ericko, who was sharp and perceptive, eased Maggie. She added, "Beyond securing the goods, I'm planning to double down on the design drafts as well."

Her aim was clear: to be fully prepared to stop the Camerons from making any headway in the jewelry market. For now, their best move was to avoid the Adams and focus on their construction projects. After finalizing their plan, it was time for Maggie to leave.

Ericko initially intended to walk her out, but she wanted to check the ward one last time and chose to go alone.

Returning to the ward, she found it empty. The only remnants of her previous visit were her coat and the untouched breakfast in a lunchbox on the table—nothing else remained.

Nathael was nowhere to be seen, which was a relief for Maggie. She had worried he might have waited for her, wasting his valuable time given his busy schedule.

Opening the lunchbox, Maggie found her favorites: a croissant and coffee from Garnet Street, plus French toast and oatmeal—clearly intended for two. However, he hadn't touched any of it. Realizing it was almost midday, Maggie decided to eat the breakfast for lunch.

After eating, she cleaned up and took a taxi back to school. On the way, she considered calling Nathael, wondering if he was upset about her absence. If so, she knew she'd need to make it up to him.

She tried calling him but only got a busy signal. Confused, she tried again.

On the other end, Nathael sat at his desk, his phone buzzing. He watched it for a moment before silencing it and putting it away, choosing not to answer.

With her calls unanswered, Maggie felt uncertain and slightly worried. He hadn't answered her calls. In an attempt to reach him, she opened WhatsApp and sent a direct message: "Are you mad at me?"

I've corrected grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure throughout. I've also broken the text into more manageable sections for readability. The numbered sections at the end of each part seem to be page numbers/notes and are left as is.