“I’m managing, but Dane’s been swampedtely,” he replied.


    “Recently, thepany’s profit has increased greatly.


    ”


    “That’s a good thing,” Madisyn said thoughtfully.


    “But whenever thepany thrives like this, it means Dane is in a terrible mood,” Waylon said, his tone carrying a hint of concern.


    Madisyn’s eyebrows rose in surprise.


    “Is that really the case? What’s troubling Dane?” she asked, her voice tinged with worry.


    “I’m not sure.


    When I asked, he cklisted me.


    ” Waylon shrugged, seemingly ustomed to this action of Dane’s.


    Madisyn’s lips twitched with amusement, but a quick nce at her parents revealed they also didn’t know what had happened to Dane.


    After ending the call, she turned to ine.


    “Should we reach out to Dane?”


    ine waved dismissively.


    “Dane is almost thirty now.


    He’lle to us if there’s something he wants to discuss.


    If not, it’s probably nothing.


    ”


    Madisyn was at a loss for words.


    Clearly, her mother was not worried, yet she couldn’t shake her concern.


    Dane had always been kind to her, after all.


    The next day, Madisyn dialed Dane’s number.


    After several rings, his familiar, gentle voice greeted her.


    “What’s wrong, Madisyn?”


    “Dane, how have you beentely?”


    A N G E L A ‘s L I B R A R Y


    “I’m fine.


    How about you?” Dane’s voice sounded normal.


    They slipped into easy conversation, Madisyn carefully avoiding any rush to probe.novelbin


    Yet, as the minutes ticked by, Dane’s tone wavered, hinting at hesitation.


    Eventually, he ventured, “How are you managing in Ansport? Have you made any friends? And… has Susan been in touch with you recently?”


    Although his questions were straightforward, Madisyn detected an unusual undertone.


    “Susan? No, she hasn’t reached out for quite some time now,” Madisyn replied, her brow furrowing as she recalled theirst conversation.


    “She mentioned something about needing to handle a family issue back home.


    I’m not sure what happened exactly.


    ”


    “Really?” Dane’s voice faded into a thoughtful silence.


    “That’s right.


    I’ve known her for years, yet I know so little about her family,” Madisyn admitted, her worry evident.


    “Maybe you should reach out to her,” Dane suggested softly.


    “After all, she’s your friend.


    If there’s a problem, we might be able to help her.


    ”


    Madisyn squinted, a suspicion dawning on her She could sense that Dane harbored feelings for Susan, especially when she recalled the night he got drunk and unwittingly called out Susan’s name.


    Her friend and her brother got romantically involved, yet she had been kept in the dark.


    Though the revtion stirred aplex mix of emotions within her, Madisyn wasn’t angry.


    They must have had their reasons for keeping her out of the Loop.