---- Chapter 19 Lacey leaned against the wall beside the elevator. A young man in his early 20s stood beside her, looking lost. He seemed to want to help her up, but didn't dare touch her. He was a little panicked as he called softly, "Mr. Bloomberg? Mr. Bloomberg!" When he saw Timothy and Madeline, he hurried forward like they were his saviors. "Mr. Bloomberg, Ms. Houston is a little drunk. She wanted me to take her here so she could give you her wedding invitation..." Before he could get any further, Lacey pulled an elaborate wedding invitation from her bag while smiling drunkenly. It was pale pink with a gold- rimmed edge. It smelled faintly of roses. "Timothy!" she exclaimed in her drunken haze. " How can you be so cruel, Timothy? Madeline is the one who's at fault-she refused to make way for us to be together! Why did you punish me and refuse to see me? ---- "T hope she's happy now that I'm giving her what she wants. I'm getting married-I'm marrying someone else! I want to invite you to the wedding! " This was Madeline's first time experiencing something like this. She clenched her fists, suddenly feeling uneasy as she turned to look at Timothy. He didn't have eyes for her, though. His gaze was glued to Lacey. Instead of saying anything, he pressed the elevator button and pushed Lacey inside. He said, ''Let's head upstairs first." Then, he beckoned to Madeline. "Why aren't you coming in?" He even wanted the driver who'd brought Lacey over to join them, but the latter waved frantically. "T'll wait down here!" Timothy didn't push him. He pressed the button for their floor, and the elevator began to ascend. The three of them stood in the brightly lit elevator. Lacey leaned back in one corner, her hair ---- covering her face. The air became filled with the smell of her perfume mixed with alcohol. Madeline found the smell a little unpleasant. She was on edge, feeling like she was up against a formidable opponent. When they arrived on their floor, Timothy dragged Lacey inside and made her sit on the couch. She was still smiling dazedly, but she seemed more lucid than before. She sat there obediently. Madeline frowned and got Lacey a cup of tea. Then, she sat beside Timothy. The three of them remained like that in a silent stalemate. Lacey sipped the tea and placed the wedding invitation she'd been clutching on the coffee table. Timothy didn't look at it, and his face was devoid of emotion. There was no telling what was on his mind. Lacey placed her hands on her lap and looked around the room. Her eyes reddened, but she tried to stay calm as she said, "Your home looks so