Chapter: 1177

“Men prefer women who take initiative. Why not approach him and see his reaction?" Madeline suggested softly, leaning in to whisper these words before stepping away with a subtle smile.

Distracted, Marlene finished her drink. Having been helped by Sean, she had deeply fallen for him and couldn't let go of the thought.

Sean had always been receptive to her. Perhaps it was worth taking a chance?

A deep blush colored her cheeks as she realized more than ever that she wanted to be with Sean forever.

From a short distance, Madeline watched as Marlene's demeanor shifted from gentle to assertive, and she couldn't help but smile at the transformation.

"Such a young and beautiful woman," she murmured under her breath, “how could he resist her charm, especially when she resembles his ex -girlfriend?"

Madeline was then approached by Kathy, cradling her one-year-old daughter.

After the child was born, Kathy had confirmed Jordy's paternity through testing, and now they were officially married and Living as a family.

Catching sight of Marlene, Kathy inquired curiously, "Is she Norah's replacement? They share a resemblance."

Kathy knew Norah well, having lived with her for two years. At Norah's death, part of her wanted to celebrate her death, yet she lamented the loss for the Carter family's assets.

Madeline just smiled, her expression conveying her thoughts more eloquently than words could.

"This is the first time Sean has brought a date to a banquet since Norah's death," Kathy noted. “It seems he's trying to move on."

While she felt a pang of jealousy towards Norah for being remembered so fondly, Kathy also pitied her for being so quickly replaced after her death. Who would not find it ironic, knowing the full story?

She observed Marlene, a vibrant young woman in her early twenties, and thought Sean would be quite taken with her.

Sean instructed the driver to take Marlene home, to a villa designated for her residence.

Sean and Marlene both sat in the rear seats, spaced widely enough to accommodate two additional people between them.

Marlene subtly bit her lip, stealing glances him from the corner of her eyes.

Dressed in an expensive suit, Sean leaned against the window, propping his chin with one hand, and stared silently outside.

It had never occurred to her that she would be involved with someone like him.

"Sean, are you returning to the Dreamview Villas?"

"Hm."

His brief response indicated a reluctance to engage in conversation.

However, Marlene persisted.

“There's been a strange noise in my place. At night, when I go to the bathroom, I hear footsteps. It frightens me."