Chapter 395

“Mother-in-law?” Madeline scoffed as she spoke, mockery apparent on her enchanting features. “How dare you call yourself a mother-in-law?”

“…” Karen’s eyes widened in shock.

Madeline tugged her arm back as her proud eyes swept coldly over Karen’s frustrated and infuriated expression. Frost suddenly permeated the air. “You’re the one who has to watch herself around me. I’m not Madeline Crawford, and I won’t allow you to walk over me and scold or hit me as you wish.”

“You…” Fury flared in Karen’s eyes as she raised an arm to give Madeline a lesson.

“Stop!” Jeremy’s icy tone shot through the air, freezing Karen’s hand mid-strike.

Madeline quirked a defined brow and parted her pink lips. “Do you not see how much Jeremy cares for me? Don’t offend me, do you understand?”

“…” Karen was too infuriated to speak.

A sliver of fear shone in Madeline’s eyes as she looked up and walked toward Jeremy. “Let’s go back, Jeremy. I don’t think Aunty wants to see me.”

Jeremy sent Karen a frigid gaze. “This will be the last time I repeat myself. Vera’s going to be your daughter-in-law very soon. It would do you good to change your attitude around her.”

“Jeremy! You… Don’t let yourself be blinded by this woman’s lies! She’s not as fragile and innocent as you think!” Karen pointed frustratingly at Madeline as she emphasized.

“All I’ve heard is you picking on Vera time and again. I also saw you raising an arm at her just now,”

Jeremy stated indifferently as he placed Madeline’s jacket over her shoulders and took her hand. “Let’s go.”

“Hmm.” Madeline nodded, allowing Jeremy to interlock their fingers and bring her away.

Karen took a deep breath and ran after them to the car.

“Why would your mother lie to you, Jeremy? This woman really isn’t the kind and nice person you think she is! You’re going to regret getting married to her, just like when you married that b*tch Madeline!”

Jeremy’s grip on the steering wheel tightened at his mother’s words.

Raising the driver’s window in extreme displeasure, he hit the accelerator and left.

Looking through the rearview mirror, Madeline broke into a small smile at the sight of Karen stomping her foot angrily in the night breeze.

Jeremy made Madeline a bowl of noodles upon their return to the villa.

Perhaps it was the hunger, for Madeline found the noodles rather flavorful.

If they could go back in time and he had shown her even the littlest bit of warmth, they would never have ended up like this today.

Yet there were no such ifs in this world.

…

The following day arrived with Jeremy publishing the news of him getting married to a woman called Vera Quinn.

The internet was filled with thousands of comments blessing the couple, yet Madeline could not bring herself to feel a shred of happiness reading them.

These comments were once negative and filled with insults when she had married him years ago.

There was not even one person who blessed their union during that large-scale ceremony. Her innocent and hopeful prayers were the only thing there was.

Now that she had the blessings of the entire city, she no longer held the same youthful hopefulness of a bride-to-be.

Her phone rang as she read the comments.

Madeline picked the call up without a second thought after glancing at the caller ID. “Felipe,” she greeted, paying attention to the words the man on the other end spoke before nodding. “Alright, I’ve got it.”

Madeline hung up and grabbed her purse, leaving the house.

The unexpected guest she met as she stepped out had her stopping in her tracks.

Madeline’s expression was one of annoyance as she took in Daniel’s sudden appearance. “What do you want this time?”

“Are you free, Ms. Quinn? I’d like to bring you somewhere if that’s alright,” Daniel asked warmly, his voice making it seem as if he was pleading.

Madeline averted her gaze indifferently. “How many times do I have to tell you that I’m not Madeline Crawford? There’s nothing for us to talk about.”

With that, she walked away.