My Repentant Brothers (Madeline Larson)

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Over a month quickly passed.

Madeline and Gavin had even spent New Year on the Aventiran savanna.

By the time they returned to Clusia, spring had arrived.

Typically, after two months of traveling abroad together, one might expect two people to have settled into a serious relationship, but Gavin proved otherwise. They barely progressed beyond holding hands. Instead, the two had forged a bond for life after a harrowing experience of being chased at high speed by leopards across the savannah.

Madeline had been terrified and had firmly resolved never to go to the Aventiran savannah again.

For half a month, she endured nightmares of being pursued by lions and leopards. Even though she stayed indoors every day, it felt as if she were constantly running, and she ended up losing some weight. When Caleb went to pick them up and saw the emaciated Madeline, his face darkened with fury.

The first thing he did was instruct the servants to take care of Madeline's health.

Madeline sat on the couch, looking a bit tired. "Caleb, I am fine. It's just that it was very sunny over there, and I lost a bit of weight. But I'll look better on camera, just in time for the reality show." "Gavin Newton Caleb's eyes were piercing. "You better explain.

"T..." Gavin pressed his lips together, not shirking his responsibility. "I wanted Maddie to get closer to the wild side of nature, to fully immerse herself and unwind. Unfortunately, we encountered some minor accidents and ended up being chased by leopards for over three hours."

He sighed and continued, "We got separated from the group that day. If we had stayed with them, we could have used the rifle for protection and wouldn't have been so terrified"

Gavin reminisced about how close he was to overheating the engine while speeding across the grasslands; it had been quite a thrill.

He coughed and added, "The scares caused Madeline to have trouble sleeping, which is why she lost weight"

Madeline rubbed her temples. Thinking back to how fierce that pair of leopards was, she still felt a lingering sense of dread

She said, "I never want to experience the wild nature again. On the last day, we were boating in the forest and encountered a giant python. We almost.

She patted her chest. "I guess I'm getting too old for such excitement. I feel like I've let Gavvy down by not fully enjoying the adventurous journey he planned for me."

When Nolan got back and saw Madeline's haggard face, he frowned slightly and said, "Maddie, come here. I'll check your pulse."

Madeline obediently walked over, sat next to Nolan, and said, "Nolan, I think I really need some calming medication for sleep." Nolan examined her and couldn't help but shake his head with a slight smile. "You're quite shaken up. It seems traveling abroad isn't always a good idea. From now on, stick to domestic trips."

"You're right. You should have told me earlier, so I wouldn't have been so frightened, Madeline said with a rueful smile. Cavin felt the need to defend himself. "Actually, except for those two scares, the trip was mostly wonderful. We took a lot of photos, and I made sure to save them all."

He pulled out his DSLR camera and continued, "Just look at this-what a stunning sight! The brilliant sunset and the vast grasslands. Isn't it beautiful and magnificent?"

It is Imperfections don't detract from the beauty," Madeline replied. Despite the terrifying moments of being chased by leopards and nearly capsized by a giant python, the trip was quite wonderful.

"Exactly," Gavin said with a bright smile. "Look, these photos are enough to make an entire album. We were even going to explore an ancient tribe and try local delicacies, but unfortunately, Maddie didn't have time. Otherwise, we could have stayed for months"

"It's for the best," Nolan said, wiping his hands with a handkerchief. Tve been there before. The foods of the ancient tribe are hard to stomach, and even if you manage to eat them, they might not sit well with you. In just a few days, you would feel unwell. Besides, in many ancient tribes, women are treated as traded goods. It's not safe to go there."

Gavin, hearing this, felt his regret diminish and said, "Safety comes first. I am relieved I didn't explore freely without restraint. while Maddie was with me."

Madeline raised an eyebrow, looking at him with a teasing expression. "What are you planning to do? Are you interested in the

tribe's women?"

"Not at all! I'm a pure-hearted young man. How could I be so indecent?" Gavin defended himself hastily. "Alright, let's go out for some late-night snacks tonight. It's on me."

Caleb refused immediately. "Maddie has lost so much weight under your care. Eating junk food will only make her condition worse. You can go alone.

Gavin sighed in resignation, feeling rejected.

Madeline pinched her arm. "I don't want to go out either. I think my health has improved quite a bit this month with the daily exercise and sun exposure. I feel like my physical stamina has improved.

Nolan looked at her with a mix of concern and amusement. "Maddie, go take a shower. I'll prepare some calming medicine for

Drink it after dinner, and you will surely sleep well tonight."

you.

Madeline nodded. "I really need to catch up on sleep: Otherwise, I'll be in poor shape for the variety show."

"Then I'll prepare some medicine to boost your energy and give your skin a healthy glow, so you won't have to worry about looking bad on camera," said Nolan.

Madeline was overjoyed. "Nolan, it's so great to have you around." Then she went upstairs.

Caleb glanced at Gavin.

Gavin, feeling guilty, averted his eyes and said, "If you have something to say, just say it."Nôvel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

"Did you meet with Jimmy? Did you persuade him to return home?" Caleb asked, sitting on the couch and playing with the rosary beads on his wrist. "I sent him a message during the New Year, advising him not to risk his life taking down the villains and cautioning that such actions leave no room for turning back. Once he's exposed, he will be a traitor whom no place will accommodate."

"A traitor?" Gavin was puzzled.

"He's an Interpol agent, working undercover against the drug lord of the Dravena Isles, Caleb explained, handing his phone to Gavin. "I tried to persuade him, but he wouldn't budge. I hoped Maddie's influence might make a difference"

Gavin saw only two messages in the WhatsApp chat.

[Caleb Jimmy, if something happens over there, we may not be able to help you in time.]

[Jimmy: Life and death should be decided by oneself]

Gavin sighed. "Madeline was right about Jimmy. His mother died because of this, so he could never truly fall to the point of working for a drug lord. His determination is so strong that trying to dissuade him would be like asking him to abandon his beliefs. It's better to just let him be. He became one of the Zodiac of Asuras for a reason; he's not that fragile."

Caleb nodded, a thoughtful expression clouding his deep-set eyes. "Since you're unaware of the details, just act like you don't know. Let's not worry Maddie any further.