There is one month remaining before the Quinton Consortium throws the dinner party event at Townsville Convention Center to announce the winning bid to lead the rebuild of BDT mall and the build of Quinton Consortium's new beach resort off the coast of Townsville.
The submission deadline had just passed, which means there are no more submissions to be entertained.
It is the weekend in the Smith household; and everyone's morale was expectedly high. Everyone except, surprisingly, Charles.
Even Madison noticed Charles's sour mood in the dining room as the family was having breakfast.
"What's wrong, Charles? You look like someone broke your favourite toy with that scrunched up face of yours." said Madison.
"Shut up, Maddy! I'm not in the mood for your jokes!" Charles barked back, stunning Madison for a moment.
"Charles!! Madison in just asking you a harmless question. No need to be so rude! Apologise to her!" Charles's father, Dave ordered.
Charles didn't want to apologise initially; but deep down he knew he was wrong. An apology was the right thing to do.
"You're right, dad. I'm sorry Maddy. I wasn't mad at you and I shouldn't have barked at you." Charles apologised.
"Speaking of bark, the reason I was not in the best of moods this morning was because last night, I saw a couple of lowlife dogs in the business district." explained Charles.
"Oh really, brother? Who did you see?" asked Mason, Charles's brother.
"That leech loser Derek and his ex-colleague Desmond." replied Charles.
Everyone stopped eating immediately, including Madison and Madam Louise.
"Woah, talk about bad luck...no wonder you looked like you were in the dumps." said Chloe.
"The bigger question is what are they both doing there?" asked Juri.
"You know what, cousin? That's a good question. In fact, come to think of it, both of them were dressed in quite fancy business suits." said Charles.
"Are you sure Charles?" asked Madison's father Raymond. "Last I recall, Derek doesn't even have a blazer."
"I'm sure about it, Uncle Raymond. The suit he was wearing....I've seen it before. Suits like those cost at least 15 grand." replied Charles.
"Derek shouldn't have any money when we kicked him out, let alone have money to buy such a suit." concurred Chloe.
Madison and Madam Louise listened to the conversation with deep thoughts. However, their thoughts could not be anymore polarising.
From Madison's point of view, if she can figure out her cousin Derek's sudden change of fortune before her family does, then she can do what she can to protect him.
From Madam Louise's end, she did think that something was very off with Derek being spotted at the business district. That warrants further investigation in her mind.
"Seeing Derek in the business district is surprising, especially the way you put it Charles. We have to be aware of what he is up to; but we need to be discreet about it." said Madam Louise.
"What do you suggest, mother?" asked Dave.
Madam Louise gave Dave's question a bit of thought before turning her attention to Madison.
"Madison, I need a favour from you." said Madam Louise.
"What is it, Grandma?" asked Madison.
"I need you spy on that loser Derek. I don't care how you do it, I don't care how you are able to locate him. Track him down and watch his every move. However, don't give him any impression that we are spying on him." instructed Madam Louise.
"You want me to track down someone you kicked out of our house and not looked back since? What's in it for me, then?" asked Madison.
Madam Louise then replied, "I knew you would want something out of me. Very well, if you can report back to me on his actions from now until Sunday, you can join us at the Quinton Consortium event on Sunday night."
Initially, Madison was shocked that Madam Louise had no intention of bringing her to the event; but considering she is already heading for the event as Nick Lopez's plus one, she soon composed herself.
"Ok, that seems reasonable. I accept this task." said Madison.
"Good girl, Maddy. You are doing this family a huge service by helping Grandma." said Raymond, Madison's father.
Madison smiled slightly. Deep down, she was disgusted at Madam Louise's request; but after giving her request a second thought, she decided to make the best of it.
'Since I want to know about brother Derek's real identity more than you do, I'm willing to do a spy job; but don't think about getting any legit information from me. You all are in for a ride.' thought Madison.
"All right then, since it's the weekend, and everyone has submitted their proposals to the Quinton Consortium, let's head over to BDT mall. We have to shop for suits and gowns." said Madam Louise.
Everyone's morale in the Smith family rose. This was probably the first in years that they get to do something as a family.
"That sounds fun." said Dave's wife Lois.
"Yeah. A bit if retail therapy would not hurt anyone." Raymond's wife Pam concurred.
Everyone else was in agreement, including Madison.
"Then it's settled. Finish up your breakfast, get changed and we will meet at the front gate in twenty minutes." said Madam Louise.
"I'll get to it first. I've finished my breakfast." said Madison before taking her leave from the dining table.
"Well...for someone pending approval from Grandma to attend next week's event, she sure is eager." said Juri.
"Don't mind her Juri. At the most we'll just get a simple dress for her. Nothing too fancy." said Chloe.
In her room, Madison's faux spy mission for Madam Louise has already begun. The first thing she did was send a text to Derek, in hopes he sees her message.
Next, she made a call to Nick Lopez.
"Hi Nick. It's me, Madison."
"Hi Madison. What's up?"
"Are you and Joanne opening shop today?" asked Madison.
"Nope. Not today. We have a family lunch to attend to. It's our parents' wedding anniversary today." replied Nick.
"Thank goodness. My family are on the way to shop at BDT mall. I didn't want them to patronise your shops. I hope you understand." explained Madison.
"Wow talk about perfect timing, thanks for the heads up. No offence, Madison; even if my shop was open, I won't allow them in. Only you." replied Nick.
"None taken, Nick. With that said, we have a bigger problem. Can we meet later tonight at Starb*cks cafe? Team MNS meeting. Urgent." asked Madison.
"Sure thing. I'll contact Steph and ask if she can close the cafe after letting us in.
"Thanks Nick. See you both tonight." said Madison.
"Most welcome, Maddy." replied Nick before disconnecting the call.
'Did he just call me Maddy?' thought Madison.